28 ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 
MIMIDS, THRUSHES, KINGLETS and SHRIKKES. In addition to the Brown 
Thrashers reported on the Christmas Bird Counts, there were singles at Woodstock, in 
January (D. Fiske) and Macomb, 31 January-2 February (fide E. Franks). Everyone, 
including non-birders, reported large numbers of wintering robins; some flocks num- 
bered near or over 1000 birds. One Hermit Thrush was documented at Westville, 9 
January (*G. Wilford). Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been regularly reported farther 
north over longer periods of time than traditionally expected; one was present this year 
at Macomb, 4 January (E. Franks, et al.). One Northern Shrike was found in Winnebago 
Co., 31 December (D. Bohlen). 
WARBLERS, ORIOLES and BLACKBIRDS. An Orange-crowned Warbler was 
found in the pines at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 4 January (*B. Peterjohn). 
A total of 235 Yellow-rumped Warblers were observed on the Union County Christmas 
Count; 42 and 36 were tallied on a couple of the Chicago area counts; many individuals 
of this species survived the mild early winter — but were not observed when the weather 
worsened. Pine Warblers also wintered in the extensive pines at Crab Orchard National 
Wildlife Refuge; by February 26 some were heard singing (B. Peterjohn). Wintering 
Common Yellowthroats included three birds at Oakwood Bottoms, 11 January (B. 
Peterjohn, M. Morrison) and one in Chicago, 17 December (T. Cable). For other records 
of wintering warblers, readers are referred to the Christmas Bird Count tables in the 
past issue of the Bulletin. An adult male Northern Oriole was observed in Springfield, 
11 December (D. Bohlen); another male was found at Glencoe, 24 December (C. Clark) — 
the first Chicago area winter record. An adult male Orchard Oriole was observed at 
Cobden, 30 November, was caught, banded and photographed, 16 December (*T. Mer- 
riman). Small numbers of Brewer’s Blackbirds were observed in some of the winter 
Blackbird roosts — three were reported from Springfield. The number of roosts and their 
closeness to human habitations continues to be a problem for everyone — most notable 
were roosts in Massac, Alexander and St. Clair Counties. 
GROSBEAKS, BUNTINGS, FINCHES, REDPOLLS, SISKINS and CROSSBILLS. 
The second winter record of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak for the Chicago area was 
established (photographed) 24 December at Winnetka (C. Clark); the bird was still at a 
feeder, 27 December (L. Yaskett). The Black-headed Grosbeak at Salem, 29 January-26 
March constituted the fifth state record of this species, (photograph, M. Horsman, m.ob). 
One Indigo Bunting appeared at an Ottawa feeder, 16 January but was not seen again 
(*J. McKee); another was found in Sterling, 28 February-1 March (B. Shaw). Evening 
Grosbeaks were scattered throughout the state; most arrived in mid-to-late December. 
Although it was a good year for the species, most observers do not believe it was the best 
year. Purple Finches were well-distributed, but somewhat scarce in some areas. Com- 
mon Redpolls were scattered throughout the state; however, it was not a major invasion. 
The highest Redpoll count was 14 — in Sangamon County, 15 January (D. Bohlen); some 
remained in Sangamon County through 9 March (D. Bohlen); others included one in 
Jackson County, 20 February (*B. Peterjohn) and three near Champaign, 23 March (I. 
McLure). There was a good to excellent flight of Pine Siskins. Red Crossbills spent all 
winter in Jackson and Williamson counties (B. Peterjohn); nine were encountered in 
Springfield, 9 December (D. Bohlen). White-winged Crossbills were first found in 
southern Illinois, seven at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 7 December (B. 
Peterjohn); then, up to 12 at Springfield between 12 & 18 December with the last 
departing 20 February (D. Bohlen); the only others reported were found at Champaign: 
one, 18 March (I. McLure) and three, 20 March (D. Friedman). 
