National Audubon’s 124th and Rutland County Audubon’s 50th Christmas Bird Count is in the books. On December 30, a mix of weather – fog, rain, snow – greeted the earlier birders. Fortunately, the day straightened out, at least a little, weatherwise. A total of 50 species was tallied.
Dark-eyed Junco
No field teams reported Wild Turkey! Fortunately, a feeder watcher reported five at her feeder. A single Ruffed Grouse was seen during the day.
Raptors for the day included Cooper’s Hawk, a record five Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl and a Merlin.
Although our species total was on the low side, there were some surprises. Three Common Yellowthroats and a Yellow-rumped Warbler were spotted. Two other species, Winter Wren and Red Crossbill added to the list of those, while not unheard of, but not expected, were seen. A higher number than usual of Red Crossbills have been reported across the state since this summer.
While not in record numbers, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Dark-eyed Juncos were reported by most if not all field teams. A large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds was reported along Otter Creek.
One Northern Shrike, one Great Blue Heron and two Belted Kingfishers helped round out the list.
A Peregrine Falcon, frequently perched on the steeple of Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, was spotted during count week (the three days prior and three days following the actual count day). This brought our CBC total up to 51. In the past few years, we have ranged between 48 and 54 species, count week birds included.
A delicious potluck supper was held at the Proctor Free Library where we counted down the day’s species list.
Thanks to all participants and to Kathleen Guinness for organizing the count!
The day’s list:
Canada Goose 823
Mallard 48
American Black Duck 8
Common Merganser 8
Wild Turkey 5
Ruffed Grouse 1
Rock Pigeon 491
Mourning Dove 109
Great Blue Heron 1
Cooper’s Hawk 4
Bald Eagle 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 16
Barred Owl 4
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 15
Downy Woodpecker 45
Hairy Woodpecker 23
Pileated Woodpecker 6
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon (count week)
Northern Shrike 1
Blue Jay 183
American Crow 635
Common Raven 33
Black-capped Chickadee 602
Tufted Titmouse 95
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 27
Red-breasted Nuthatch 20
White-breasted Nuthatch 103
Brown Creeper 16
Winter Wren 2
Carolina Wren 16
European Starling 1044
Eastern Bluebird 42
American Robin 25
House Sparrow 92
House Finch 50
Purple Finch 9
Red Crossbill 5
Pine Siskin 277
American Goldfinch 134
American Tree Sparrow 132
Dark-eyed Junco 546
White-throated Sparrow 45
Song Sparrow 6
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 95
Red-tailed Hawk