**** Ding, ding, ding - last call!! **** A heads up to let you know that NYSARC is currently reviewing rarity sightings from last year (2009). If you have a report that you'd meant to send in but haven't, please do so forthwith. We are also accelerating the review of two potential new taxa for the State based on the sightings of five *BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS* on Oneida Lake near Brewerton (Oswego Co.) on 31 May and a *'SOOTY' FOX SPARROW* in Central Park (New York Co.) on 13-14 May 2010. Please keep in mind that descriptions and photographs submitted to regional bird clubs and to eBird reviewers are generally not forwarded to NYSARC, so we need to hear from you directly. * *** Storks over Root? ****
We've received a number of inquires about the breeding status of *MISSISSIPPI KITE* in New York State. There are no prior records of confirmed nesting but the pair near Root (Montgomery Co.) offers our best hope. Although their behavior last summer was very encouraging, evidence that young were hatched was not obtained. It is not unusual for inexperienced bird to be unsuccessful in their first attempt(s), but perhaps we will have something to celebrate later this summer. Please keep the reports coming, especially if you can document the pair engaged in breeding behavior or manage to spot a newly fledged kite! Be sensitive to the privacy of local residents and of course avoid any disturbance to nesting birds. **** Breeding species of special concern **** As we gleefully anticipate a new breeding species we should be watchful of losing others. Two species spring to mind, *BLACK RAIL* and *HENSLOW SPARROW *. NYSARC is concerned about the absence of reports from traditional sites on Long Island and is considering adding Black Rail to the review list state wide. To help us formulate the decision, we'd like to hear directly from observers. Have you listened for Black Rails in suitable habitat in the past few summers and were you successful or unsuccessful? Henslow Sparrow seems to be declining steadily with a number of traditional sites now abandoned. Again we would like to know of any positive sightings away from the remaining stronghold in Fort Drum (Jefferson Co.). Please contact the Committee directly via our email <nysarc3 [at symbol] nybirds.org>. Angus Wilson Chair, New York State Avian Records Committee ## The New York Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) is part of NYSOA, the New York State Ornithological Association. Please visit our web site < http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/index.htm> for more information on submitting reports of rare birds in New York State and to access the complete set of Annual Reports (1978-2007). ## -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
