ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 31 
White-rumped Sandpipers were reported; the majority of course, after mid-May — but 
trickling into June; over 100 were present at Mark Twain Refuge, 22 May (J. Eades). 
There must have been an early influx of Long-billed Dowitchers as three east-central 
Districts reported them between 23 April and 1 May. Stilt Sandpipers are not reported 
very often in spring, therefore the following observations were noteworthy: one at Lake 
Shelbyville, 23 April (R. Sandburg); one at Champaign, 28 April-8 May (J. Frank); one 
at Rend Lake, 30 April (B. Peterjohn); two at Union County Refuge; 8 May (V. Kleen); 
one near Havana, 12 May (D. Bohlen, et al.) and 17 near Havana, 14 May (D. Bohlen). 
The only Marbled Godwit reported was found near Normal, 9 May (D. Birkenholtz). Six 
Hudsonian Godwits arrived at Champaign, 6 May; at least five remained there through 
9 May (*J. Frank, m.ob.); another (the missing sixth one from Champaign?) was found 
near Normal, 9 May (D. Birkenholtz); and one was present at Mark Twain Refuge, 14 
May (*H. Wuestenfeld). 
GULLS and TERNS. Another California Gull has been thoroughly documented, 
this time at Lake Chautauqua, 21 May (*R. Sandburg, P. Gibson). Single Laughing 
Gulls in adult plumage were identified at Waukegan, 19 May (*J. Frank) and Lake 
Chautauqua, 3 June (R. Sandburg). An unusual place for a Little Gull to be was Crab 
Orchard Refuge, 9 April, (*B. Peterjohn). Foster’s Terns were found at both E. St. Louis 
(1) and Springfield (2) on 8 April (J. Eades and D. Bohlen, respectively); others had 
arrived along Lake Michigan by 11 April (fide J. Neal); the latest record was 1 June, also 
along Lake Michigan. The only Little Terns reported were three at Alton, 22 May (J. 
Eades). 
CUCKOOS, OWLS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, NIGHTHAWKS and HUMMINGBIRDS. 
Both species of cuckoos were scarce during May since the majority of birds did not arrive 
until after 29 May; most were still migrating through early June; after the population 
arrived, neither species was particularly scarce. The only Barn Owl reported was found 
in Coles Co., 13 May (L. Harrison). A few Short-eared owls lingered at central and 
southern I]linois locations as late as the first week of April. The earliest Whip-poor-will 
reported was 4 April in District 16 (M. Morrison); you may recall the 23 March record of 
last year. Common Nighthawks were first detected 23 April (District 16) but the first 
influx arrived during the last four days of April; the main influx was observed between 4 
& 9 May. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were first detected 16 April (Districts 16 & 18) 
and then at more northerly areas after 23 April. 
WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS and SWALLOWS. Red-headed Woodpeckers 
were common migrants this spring and, according to the Spring Bird Count results, 
continues to be the most common (or at least most conspicuous) woodpecker in Illinois. 
The general influx of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers began after 20 March and the species 
was last observed 21 May in District 3. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was observed at 
Champaign, 18 May (D. Black). February-arriving Eastern Phoebes included individu- 
als in District 16, 27 Fehruary, and District 8, 29 February; another early arrival was 
one at Charleston, 7 March (L. B. Hunt); the more general arrival period was 19 March 
or later. It seems that some observers have a difficult time safely separating the Alder 
and Willow flycatchers. The Willow F. usually arrives first (and nests in Illinois) and the 
Alder F. generally arrives after 20 May (often later) and is still migrating throughout 
early June; their songs are the only safe method for differentiating the two species. 
Olive-sided Flycatchers appeared to be more common this spring; again, most arrived in 
Illinois after 15 May. Many swallows were early migrants; the first Tree Swallows were 
found at Rend Lake, 6 March (B. Peterjohn); Rough-wings were in District 12 by 4 April 
(D. Bohlen); Barn Swallows in District 17 by 16 March (B. Peterjohn), and Cliff Swallows 
in District 11 by 14 April (fide P. Ward). The first Purple Martins were found in the 
Chceago area (or at least District 3) on 13 March; the next record was in Jackson Co. 
(District 16) 18 March. 
