Shoveler and White-winged Scoter. A Common Goldeneye at Boland 
Pond, Chenango Bridge was a bit early on 26 November. Missed were 
Gadwall, Canvasback, Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser. 
Raptor migration was average. Good numbers of Ospreys and Bald 
Eagles were reported from the Region but were only seen in average 
numbers at Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch near Oneonta. Very low 
counts at the hawkwatch, about 50% of the average, were noted for 
Northern Goshawk and American Kestrel. Golden Eagles continued 
high counts, with 90 seen for the season and a high one-day count of 23 
on 7 November. 
Rare in our Region were two reports of Black Vultures. The first 
report, of a single bird, was from the Chenango County North American 
Migration Count on 18 September. The second, of two birds, came from 
Tom Salo's Wooley Hill Hawkwatch in West Burlington on 21 October. 
Rails went unreported, continuing the absence noted last summer, 
while only two American Coots were seen. It may be early to conclude, 
but it would seem the summer drought may have taken its toll on these 
wetland species this year. 
Sandpiper numbers were unimpressive. Less common species tallied 
were Semipalmated Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and Dunlin. A Stilt 
Sandpiper was spotted by Marie Petuh at Greenwood Park, Town of 
Maine in Broome County. The water in the lake was drawn down at this 
park for maintenance, exposing extensive mudflats. Unfortunately, this 
is not routinely done in fall. Common Snipe was notably scarce, with 
only a single bird reported. None were reported from Cincinnatus Lake, 
where it has been very plentiful the two previous falls. No terns were 
reported. 
Good numbers of owls were reported. An adult Snowy Owl was spot¬ 
ted by Don Windsor in Sidney on 28 October. It was "flying downstream 
in fog at 9:30 am about 20 feet above the Susquehanna River." It was the 
earliest date Don could remember seeing one in this Region. Tom Salo 
observed a Short-eared Owl at Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch "in a 
group of about 15 red-tails." Northern Saw-whet Owls were seen in 
Owego and Endicott. The one in Owego appeared 6 September and one 
was found dead in the same area in November, possibly the same bird. 
Long-eared Owl was missed. 
Despite drought conditions, the fall season reports indicated a suc¬ 
cessful breeding season for both resident and migrant songbird popula¬ 
tions. Blue Jay, American Crow, American Goldfinch and other resident 
birds were frequently mentioned in September reports as accompanied 
by young. Fox Sparrows were reported frequently. Vestal bander Gail 
The Kingbird 2000 March; 50(1) 
64 
