AUTUMN MIGRATION ROUTE OF BLACKPOLL WARBLERS - EVIDENCE FROM SOUTHEASTERN NORTH-AMERICA

Cooke (1904, 1915) proposed that the Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica stri ata) migrates to South America through southeastern North America. Nis bet et al. (1963) and Nisbet (1970) argued that most Blackpoll Warbler s fly directly from northeastern North America over the Atlantic Ocean to their winter range. Murray (1965, 1989) questioned this view and s upported Cooke's hypothesis. Data from nocturnal accidents, banding st ations and sightings demonstrate that Blackpoll Warblers are rare autu mn migrants south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, whereas north of H atteras they are common. This evidence contradicts Cooke and Murray's hypothesis, and supports Nisbet's alternative.