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WorldTwitch 3 - 1993

Morocco: David Bradford reports that two Slender-billed Curlews, Numenius tenuirostris, returned to the species' last known wintering site, the Merja Zerga reserve, on 10 November 1992, and were still present on 22 November. Visitors should ask for the local warden, Hassan el Dalil, who stops by the Café Milano in the village of Moulay Busselham each morning to see if any birders have arrived. No Northern Bald Ibis, Geronticus eremita, were observed at the former breeding colony near Tamri, reportedly having left in early October due to the persistent drought. Fisherman had dropped their lines over the old nests, and might present an obstacle when and if the birds return to breed.

Afrotropical Region: A new edition of Hilary Fry's Afrotropical Bibliography, extending the coverage of this comprehensive list of bird articles through 1990, is well advanced (R.J. Dowsett), and the first supplement to the new edition already has been published at Tauraco 2:97-115 (1992).

Cameroon: In September 1992, a party of birders on Mt. Kupe who were attempting to whistle in Green-breasted Bush-shrike, Malaconotus gladiator, attracted not only the target bird, but along with it a Monteiro's Bush-shrike, M. monteiri, previously known in Cameroon from one specimen taken on Mt. Cameroon and not recorded anywhere since 1954. In addition, at least four Kupe Bush-shrikes, Telophorus kupeensis, were observed during a five-day visit based at Nyasoso. (M. Andrews, et al., World Birdwatch 14(4):5 (1992)).

Tanzania: A recent expedition to Pemba Island found all four endemics to be doing well. These birds, Pemba Green Pigeon, Treron pembaensis, Pemba Scops Owl, Otus pembaensis, Pemba Sunbird, Nectarinia pembae, and Pemba White-eye, Zosterops vaughani, had not been recorded for more than forty years. (D.A. Turner). A Danish expedition to the Udzungwa Mountains in eastern Tanzania discovered a new species of francolin, Francolinus sp. Other restricted-range birds encountered included Swynnerton's Robin, Swynnertonia swynnertoni, Iringa Akalat, Sheppardia lowei, Dapple-throat, Arcanator orostruthus, Banded Sunbird, Anthreptes rubritorques, Amani Sunbird, A.pallidigaster, Rufous-winged Sunbird, Nectarinia rufipennis, and Usambara Weaver, Ploceus nicolli. (L. Dinesen et al., World Birdwatch 14(2):4 (1992)).

Rwanda: Having gained more experience with the voices of African forest nightbirds, notably Maned Owl, Jubula lettii, and Brown Nightjar, Caprimulgus binotata, in the Congo in 1990-91, Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire writes that a tape she made at about 2,000 m in the western part of the Nyungwe Forest in January, 1990, either was the Congo Bay-Owl, Phodilus prigoginei, or an entirely new species of owl, which is much less likely. The Congo Bay-Owl is known from one specimen, taken in 1951 at 2,430 m in Zäire. Sonograms of the unidentified call and of the Oriental Bay-Owl, Phodilus badius, for comparison have been published in Tauraco Research Report 3:31-85 (1990). The same article contains a sonogram of the voice of White-winged Flufftail, Sarothrura ayresi, taped in Nyungwe, the first record of this marsh-dwelling rail between Ethiopia and Zambia.

Madagascar: A decomposed carcass of a Madagascar Serpent-Eagle, Eutriorchis astur, discovered in the Ambatovaky Special Reserve in February, 1990, confirms that this monotypic genus is not extinct. (C.J. Raxworthy, Bull. B.O.C. 112:108-111 (1992)). An expedition to Lac Bemamba in September 1992 recorded 16 Madagascar Teal, Anas bernieri, and many other endemic bird species, including Schlegel's Asity, Philepitta schlegeli, Tabity Newtonia, Newtonia archboldi, and Madagascar Fish-Eagle, Haliaeetus vociferoides. (H.G. Young, Jersey Wildfowl Preservation Trust).

Comoros Islands: The scops owl on Anjouan Island, not recorded since 1886, has been rediscovered and found to be a new species, the Anjouan Scops Owl, Otus capnodes. (R. Safford, BBC Wildlife 10(10):12 (1992); World Birdwatch 14(3):4 (1992)).

China: The Chinese Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus sichuanensis, a newly-described species, is widespread in south China, and has been found to breed in the Wolong Nature Reserve. (P. Alström et al., Ibis 134:329-334 (1992)). About 40 Crested Ibis, Nipponia nippon, remain in the wild at the Yang Zian Reserve, Shanghai Province. O.B.C. Bulletin 16:18 (1992).

Thailand: During the 1992 breeding season, up to 19 pairs of Gurney's Pitta, Pitta gurneyi, were located in Khao-Pra-Bang-Khram Non-Hunting Area and surrounding patches of suitable habitat in peninsular Thailand. O.B.C Bulletin 16:19 (1992).

Sabah, Malaysia: A pair of Long-billed Partridges, Rhizothera longirostris, not previously known from Sabah, were heard and seen at the Danum Valley reserve in March, 1992. (D.A. Showler, et al., O.B.C. Bulletin 16:26-31, 51 (1992)).

Brunei: The Blue-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus nieuwenhuisii, known from one specimen taken in eastern Kalimantan in 1901 and one specimen collected in northwestern Sumatra in 1939, apparently has been rediscovered at the new Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre in Temburong District. (R. Williams et al., O.B.C. Bulletin 16:15-16 (1992)).

Sumatra, Indonesia: Three Ferruginous Partridges, Caloperdix oculea, were heard and another seen in the vicinity of Way Kanan, Way Kambas National Park, in August, 1992. (N. Redman et al., O.B.C. Bulletin 16:51 (1992)).

Java, Indonesia: In August 1992, a pair of Rajah Scops Owls, Otus brookii, were observed well up the main trail in Gede National Park (Cibodas). This represents a major range extension of a bird previously known from the highlands of Sumatra, Borneo and Eastern Java. (B. King, et al.) All putative observations of Javan Scops Owl, Otus angelinae, should be carefully reconsidered in light of this interesting discovery.

Sulawesi, Indonesia: Logging has been suspended along the Dongi-Dongi Road in Lore Lindu National Park, south of Palu, and roadside birding consequently may be improving due to the reduction in traffic and dust. In July, birders located a Geomalia, Geomalia heinrichi, near the highest point along the Dongi-Dongi Road and pursued it into adjacent forest along an Anoa trail. The bird appeared to be strictly terrestrial. The same group watched a Snoring Rail, Aramidopsis plateni, cross the road near park headquarters (Kamarora). (J. Greenberg, et al.). A pair of Sulawesi Owls, Tyto rosenbergii, were observed at Dumaga Bone National Park in August, 1992. (N.J. Gardner, et al.)

Irian Jaya, Indonesia: Four Short-tailed Paradigallas, Paradigalla brevicauda, were sighted in a forest remnant at about 2,000 m above Ibele along the northern trail between Wamena and Lake Habbema, and two Long-tailed Paradigallas, Paradigalla carunculata, were found below the Binibei hut in the Arfak Mountains. Two indicators of lack of disturbance, Victoria Crowned-Pigeon, Goura victoria, and Vulturine Parrot, Gyopsitta vulturina, were observed in the vicinity of a sawmill near Jayapura. (J. Hornbuckle, July-August 1991).

Australia: A pelagic trip out of Portland, Victoria, on 26 July 1992, recorded eight species of albatross including Sooty, Phoebetria fusca and Light-mantled, P.palpebrata. (Wingspan 9/92 at 5.) Birders planning to visit the Waterfall Creek Nature Park southeast of Darwin, NT, a well-known spot for Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa, Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon, Petrophassa rufipennis, Black-banded Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus alligator, White-throated Grasswren, Amytornis woodwardi, and White-lined Honeyeater, Meliphaga albilineata, should be aware that the area occasionally may be closed to visitors so that park personnel can shoot feral pigs and water buffalos. (J. Vermeulen). The death of British birder Alan Turner on the Birdsville track due to hyperthermia, despite his possession of an adequate supply of drinking water, was a tragic reminder of the extreme hazard of travel in the arid interior.

Neotropical Region: I highly recommend Threatened Birds of the Americas: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, which was published in October 1992 (U.K.:£29.50, U.S.: $75!). It treats 327 species in 1150 pages, and contains a considerable quantity of previously unpublished information laboriously compiled from leading field ornithologists. A comprehensive, 80-page bibliography lists unpublished reports as well as relevant published sources.

Martinique: Pierre Bulens, who recently moved to Martinique, has observed the endangered Martinique Oriole, Icterus bonana, both near Terreville and near the Dubuc ruins on the Caravelle peninsula.

Mexico: Most welcome was the premiere issue of The Euphonia, apparent successor to Aves Méxicanas, which arrived recently. For subscription information, write to P.O. Box 2701, La Habra, California 90602.

Guatemala: A pair of Stygian Owls, Asio stygius, reside on the grounds of the Hotel Posada Montana del Quetzal, located about 5 km from the Quetzal Biotype reserve in Depto. Baja Verapaz. (R.E. Waldrop).

Costa Rica: A Black-crowned Antpitta, Pittasoma michleri, was observed at very close range for more than an hour at an antswarm at Rara Avis in August 1992. Other birds recorded in the vicinity included Great Curassow, Crax rubra, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Geotrygon veraguensis, and Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Geotrygon lawrencii. (P.D. Hulce et al.)

Panama: A Lanceolated Monklet, Micromonacha lanceolata, the second record for Panama, was observed at Cana, Darien. (J. Arvin, Field Guides Field Notes, Summer, 1992).

Venezuela: Pale-bellied Mourner, Rhytipterna immunda, has been found in Venezuela for the first time, in Amazonas. (J. Coons, Field Guides Field Notes, Summer, 1992.)

Colombia: A new species, the Cundinamarca Antpitta, Grallaria kaestneri, has been named after Peter Kaestner, who discovered the bird in October, 1989, in disturbed forest at 2250 m along the new road from Monterrendondo to El Guaitiquía on the east slope of the Eastern Andes. G.kaestneri, is closely related to, but considerably smaller and darker than the Santa Marta Antpitta, G.bangsi. (F.G. Stiles, Wilson Bull. 104:389-399 (1992)). The Gold-ringed Tanager, Bangsia aureocincta, has been rediscovered at a mountain ridge at Alto de Pisones, Depto. Risaralda, about 40 km north of the type locality. (F.G. Stiles, World Birdwatch 14(3):3 (1992)).

Ecuador: A new species of Dolornis cotinga has been discovered at tree line both in northern and southern Ecuador, and a new species of Tolmomyias flycatcher (Orange-eyed Flycatcher) has been discovered in varzea along the Rio Napo. (R.S. Ridgely). In October 1992, a Giant Antpitta, Grallaria gigantea, was observed in undisturbed bamboo across the Rio Cosanga from Hacienda Aragon at 2300 m in eastern Napo, and found to be sympatric there with at least five other ground antbirds, including Barred Antthrush, Chaemaza mollissima and Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Grallaria nuchalis. (J.W. Wall and D.E. Sargeant). The Pacific form of Ocellated Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi, was tape recorded for the first time at Alto Tambo in July 1990, and now has been split from the nominate form, N. ocellatus, based on voice. (M.B. Robbins et al., Condor 94:984-987 (1992)). A Banded Ground-Cuckoo, Neomorphus radiolosus, was observed, away from army ants, at the same spot daily during 13-15 February 1992, 17.5 km northeast of Alto Tambo along the lower part of the road now under construction between Ibarra and San Lorenzo. (N. Krabbe). Unfortunately, in October, 1992, Dave Sargeant and I found the road impassible by vehicle due to bridge failure just 4 km east of Lita, but we observed five Great Green Macaws, Ara ambigua, about 1 km beyond that point. Although no Coquette is known from the western slope of the Andes, Jim and Bob Clements reported a female Coquette, Lophornis sp., from a garden in the town of Mindo in August, 1992. Imperial Snipe, Gallinago imperialis, has been found both in the vicinity of Yanacocha (N. Krabbe, Bull. B.O.C. 112:169-174 (1992)) and by a number of observers in Podocarpus National Park. (G. Kirwan, et al.).

Peru: Peruvian ornithologists who visited Lake Junin recently found evidence of significant mortality of the endemic Puna Grebe, Podiceps taczanowskii, caused by pollution from mining activities and changes in the lake's water level due to a hydroelectric plant that supplies the mine. (T. Valqui et al., World Birdwatch, 14(2):4 (1992)).

Bolivia: Four nests of the Blue-throated Macaw, Ara glaucogularis, and other mated pairs have been discovered and are under study in a remote area of Beni. (C.A. Munn, Wildlife Conservation 95(6):6 (1992), World Birdwatch 14(4):3(1992)). Field work in Reserva Forestal "Bajo Paraguá" in the northeastern corner of Dpto. Santa Cruz in 1989 added 21 species to the Bolivia list. Highlights included Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant, Hemitriccus aenigma, and Tooth-billed Wren, Odontorchilus cinereus. J.M. Bates et al., Bull B.O.C. 112:86-98 (1992). An apparent new species of Scytalopus tapaculo, entirely blue-gray with a blazing white forehead and superciliary region, has been discovered in the high Andes near La Paz. Also, four Black-winged Parrots, Hapalopsittaca melanotis, were observed in the Serrania de Siberia cloud forest in March, 1992. (B. Whitney, Field Guides Field Notes, Summer, 1992).

Brazil: A new species of tyrannid, the Restinga Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes kronei, has been discovered in restinga forest along the coast of southeastern São Paulo State. (E.O. Willis et al., Bull B.O.C. 112:158-165 (1992)).

Argentina: Yellow Cardinal, Gubernatrix cristata, apparently has been trapped out of Lihué Calel National Park within the past two years. In December, 1992, one bird was spotted in a cage at a gas station just outside of the park, and the asking price was $80. (G. Tudor et al.)