ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI 
500+ came from Clay, Jefferson 1 Mar (RRS, 
MBS) and from Loxley, Baldwin (CK), where 
flocks of up to 500 had dwindled to 12 birds 
on 1 1 May. Excellent numbers of siskins also 
were reported from the Mississippi coast: up 
to 100 were present through this season at 
Henleyfield, Pearl River until 10 May, when 
the final 8-10 birds were noted (NB). 
Initialed observers (subregional editors in 
boldface): Stephanie Allison, Philip J. Bar- 
bour, Fred Bassett, Ned Boyajian, Cecil H. 
Brown, Lynn & Duane Brown, Eugenia Carey, 
David Chaffin, Joan Clarke, C. Dwight Coo- 
ley, Margaret Copeland, Dean R. Cutten, Rae- 
lene Cutten, Denny Daniels, Harry Dean, 
John Dixon, Carrie Dortch, David W. Dortch, 
Lucy R. Duncan, Robert A. Duncan, R. Scot 
Duncan, John Ehinger, Barry K. Fleming, 
Lawrence E Gardella, Jeff T. Garner, Keith 
Gauldin, M. Scott Gravette, Jim M. Harris, 
Allyson Harrison, Rob Heflin, Chazz Hesse- 
lein, Howard E. Horne, Jay V Huner, John M. 
Imhof, Debra G. Jackson, Greg D. Jackson 
(Alabama), Odis Johnson, Michael J. Jordan, 
Mike Kelly, Gene & Shannon Knight, Claire 
Krusko, Robert D. Leier, Eric Liffmann, David 
Linden, Ken Marion, Steven W. McConnell, 
Bailey McKay, Don McKee, Anne G. Miller, 
R.J. Moore, Matt Morrow, Sue R. Moske, 
Wayne Patterson, Linda B. & Richard A. 
Reynolds, Dave Richardson, Matthew Rouse, 
Martha B. Sargent, Robert R. Sargent, Mau- 
reen Schaffer, Marion Schiefer, Terence L. 
Schiefer (Mississippi), Damien J. Simbeck, 
Harry Smith, Eric C. Soehren, Bill Summer- 
our, Jacob N. Walker, Carl & Brittany Way, 
Ruth White, Mona Whitten, Jeff R. Wilson, 
Mary Wilson, Harriet H. Wright. 
Steven W. McConnell, 29 Village Drive NE 
Hartselle, Alabama 35640, (swmavocet@aol.com) 
Arkansas & Louisiana 
m Craig Fish Hatchery 
^ •Harrison 
« Fayetteviiie 
Big L ake NWR 
ARKANSAS 
iR. Smith 
m 
Hulsey Stsle 
Holla Bald 
m Bend NWR m Knob NWR 
!e „ 7 
mL Co f I way 
Joe Hogan State^ 
■ Fish Hatchery I 
DeGray Lm 
White 
Riverm 
NWR ' 
ArkadelphiaOxi- 
■ dation Ponds 
■ Millwood L 
j L. ChicotM 
Overflow NWRu 
I Shreveport 
i . LOUISIANA 
\ Red River 
Toledo]/, NWR Catahoula 
Bend^^ Lm 
Res. T Alexandria* 
Cheneyvilie* 
GULF OF MEXICO 
Steven W. Cardiff 
S eemingly relentless strong southerly 
winds, a general lack of penetrating cold 
fronts, and gradual onset of moderate 
drought conditions, especially in Louisiana, 
characterized the last two-thirds of the sea- 
son. Conditions were generally unfavorable 
for migrant fallouts on the coast, but there 
were some fairly spectacular groundings in 
the interior, most notably in northeastern 
Arkansas, where large numbers of early 
shorebirds were precipitated during late 
March and a good showing of passerine mi- 
grants occurred around 10 May. Considering 
the domination of onshore winds, a surpris- 
ing variety of rarities were found on the coast. 
And at least a few of the notable birds found 
inland may have been wind-assisted. 
Abbreviations: B.K.N.W.R. (Bald Knob 
N.W.R., White, AR); C.EH. (Centerton Fish 
Hatchery, near Centerton, Benton, AR); C.EE 
(Craighead Forest Park, Craighead, AR); 
C.N.E (Camp Nine Farm, near Arkansas City, 
Desha, AR); N.L.T. (Ninestone Land Trust, 
Franklin, AR); S.EE (Saul’s Fish Farm, Prairie, 
AR); W.W.P. (Woolsey Wet Prairie, near 
Fayetteville, Washington, AR). Counties/ 
parishes (italics) are indicated only for the 
initial mention of a specific locality, and states 
are indicated only for the initial mention of 
counties/parishes, except to avoid confusion. 
For records of “review list” species, documen- 
tation has been received and records have ei- 
ther been accepted by, or acceptance is pend- 
ing by, the respective state bird records com- 
mittee. Significance for Arkansas records is 
based on Arkansas Birds, their Distribution and 
Abundance (James and Neal 1986) plus the 
Arkansas Audubon Society online bird record 
database, and, for Louisiana, on the bird 
record card file database and 
the Louisiana Bird Records 
Committee archives at the 
Louisiana State University Mu- 
seum of Natural Science, as 
well as the most recent draft of 
the forthcoming Birds of 
Louisiana (Remsen, Cardiff, 
Dittmann, and Dickson). 
WATERFOWL 
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks 
continue their dramatic spread 
through the Region. Most men- 
tionable among many reports received were 
several sightings relatively far n. in Arkansas, 
including 2 at Murfreesboro 9 May (a first for 
Pike; Kelly Chitwood), 2 near Mulberry 15 
May (2nd Franklin occurrence; B&TB), and 
13 near Alma 20 May (possibly the first for 
Crawford; B&TB). In s. Louisiana, the species 
has become so widespread that observers have 
largely stopped submitting reports, but a few 
interesting exceptions were of 55-60 at New 
Orleans, Orleans 23 Mar QOC, Tom D. Coul- 
son) and 6 at Mandeville, St. Tammany 18 May 
(ph. Jim Holmes; few parish records). Four 
Fulvous Whistling-Ducks at New Orleans 14 
Mar (Pamela Pitcher, Glenn Ousset) were as- 
sumed to be spring migrants; an estimated 
3900 in the Lake Arthur/Thornwell area, Ver- 
milion/jefferson Davis 9 Mar OBo, DBo) was a 
hefty total, although not unprecedented. The 
species is rare in Arkansas, so at C.N.E one 19 
May and an impressive 27 there 21 May (DB) 
were worthy of mention. A scarce migrant in 
nw. Arkansas, 2 Ross’s Geese were at C.EH. 7 
Mar QBr, MAM), and one at W.W.P. 25 Apr 
(AS), if a healthy bird, would be record late for 
Arkansas. Three unbanded Trumpeter Swans 
Cinnamon Teal are rare but annuai visitors to Louisiana, but females are seldom 
documented. This handsome pair was an excellent find near Cheneyvilie, Rapi- 
des Parish 15 March 2009. Photograph by Jim Johnson. 
448 
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 
