in the last ten days of October than they had in the last 13 fall 
seasons combined. Their first Bicknell's Thrush topped their list of 
rarities banded. 
Several birders tracked the shorebirds using Montezuma's ably man¬ 
aged habitat at May's Point. Rarities were Red Phalaropes in September 
and October and Hudsonian Godwits continually from late September 
through the end of October. 
The Montezuma Muckrace turned out record numbers of birding 
teams and a record number of species. All of the top four teams sur¬ 
passed the 120 species mark, but none of them found the bird of the day 
a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 
Totaling the maximum number of birds of each species reported from 
each different site in the Region produced the following results when 
compared with last year's figures: 135 species, no significant change; 69 
species significantly higher; 51 species significantly lower. In looking at 
the numbers for the six species mentioned above as banded in record 
high numbers at Kestrel Haven, four showed significant increases 
Region-wide. Downy Woodpecker was up insignificantly and House 
Wren was actually down insignificantly. 
Most species of water birds showed significant declines. Most raptors 
showed no significant change, but Broad-winged Hawks and American 
Kestrels were down. Red-tailed Hawks were up significantly. Many 
observers on several days and in several locations reported seeing dozens 
of redtails migrating. 
Shorebirds yielded a mixed picture of ups, downs and no changes. 
Common Nighthawks and swallows were mostly down, but Chimney 
Swifts were up. Chickadees, nuthatches and kinglets increased. The 
fruit-eating thrushes and mimics were up. Woodpeckers, vireos and war¬ 
blers were largely unchanged. Sparrows, except grassland sparrows, 
were up significantly. Grosbeaks and finches, including winter invaders, 
were almost all reported in significantly higher numbers. Starlings were 
up and House Sparrows were down. 
CONTRIBUTORS 
Paula Amols, Alan Anderson, Dan Ardia, Ryan Bakelaar, Margaret 
Barker, Laurie Bennett, Gladys Birdsall, Steve Bonta, Joe Brin, Chris 
Butler, Campus Club Bird Group, Cayuga Bird Club, Gary Chapin, Russ 
Charif, Chemung Valley Audubon Society, Dick Clements, John Confer, 
Anne Cooke, Dianne & Steve Cooper, Nancy Cusumano, Kathleen 
56 The Kingbird 2000 March; 50(1) 
