2009-10 CHRISTMAS COUNT RESULTS BY AREA
Folsom, Jan. 3
Compiler Chris Conard reported: "The 31st Folsom CBC was held January 3 2010. This year there were 75 participants--the second highest in count history (there were 79 in the count's first year). The 8 area leaders did an admirable job further dividing their areas into a total of 26 sub-groups, each with at least one experienced leader. The count obviously wouldn't be possible without the participants, but the great work of the area and sub-area leaders can't be overstated. Thank you.
"Last year we reached 146 species (the highest count total so far), and when I heard of some of the excellent finds, I thought we might break the 150 barrier this time. But it was not to be. Our total was a respectable 138 (within an historic range of 123-146). There were several standouts this year. These include the count's first Red-throated Loon, a Northern Pygmy-Owl (the first since 1994), a Red-naped Sapsucker, which is the first since 1995, a Northern Shrike at Beal's Point (5th count record), Sage Sparrows (private property), and Lawrence's Goldfinches. Also new for the count, but far less of a highlight, were a total of 5 Eurasian Collared-Doves.
"Other highlights included 7 Common Loons, several Ospreys and Bald Eagles, 10 Ferruginous Hawks, 4 Merlins, 2 Peregrine Falcons, 10 Prairie Falcons (a new count high), Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull (overall gull numbers were well down, around 10,000, probably resulting from the paucity of salmon), 2 Western Screech-Owls, at least two Great Horned Owls already sitting on nests, 2 Burrowing Owls, 64 Lewis's Woodpeckers, a Hairy Woodpecker, Common Raven (2 areas, and for the 2nd year in a row, but only the 4th count record), 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Golden-crowned Kinglets (often missed), Mountain Bluebirds (two locations), 1 Varied Thrush, California Thrasher, 3 Orange-crowned Warblers (easy to miss), 101 Phainopeplas (2nd count high), a White-throated Sparrow, and at least 100 Tricolored Blackbirds.
"Despite the great finds and good finds, misses were plentiful: geese other than Cackling and Canada, Tundra Swan, Cinnamon Teal, Canvasback, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle (count week), Long-billed Dowitcher, rare gulls, Band-tailed Pigeon, Steller's Jay, any swallows, Red-breasted Nuthatch or Brown Creeper, Canyon Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Vesper Sparrow, and Pine Siskin.
"I haven't added up all of the numbers on all species yet, but one that stands out is 94 Yellow-billed Magpies. After an average of ~150, numbers went 67, 41, 47, 72, and, now 94. Not to read too much into this, but an encouraging trend all the same. It was a great day to be in the field, with weather about as good as you could expect on a CBC. Thanks again to all who participated, and especially to the area and sub-area leaders."
Lincoln, Dec. 30
Compiler Ed Pandolfino reported: "The Lincoln CBC was conducted for the 8th year on December 30 in excellent weather (in stark contrast to the forecast). We had 96 people in the field (and 20 more counting at their feeders) and recorded 136 species. This species total was just over our average with two new species added to the cumulative list (Red-breasted Merganser and Black-throated Gray Warbler). A male Mountain Bluebird was found north of Lincoln, just the second time that species has been found on this count.
"We counted a Lincoln CBC record of over 192,000 individuals. Even adjusting for party hours, this is a new record for us. This total was mainly driven by outstanding numbers of geese (Greater White-fronted and Snow Geese mainly) and Red-winged Blackbirds. The total for Greater White-fronted Geese was over 27.000 and the Snow Goose total was over 35,000. The white-front number was a record even adjusting for party hours. We counted 409 Red-tailed Hawks, a new high even accounting for party hours and likely to get us the top count for this species of all 2000 North American CBCs (we were the top count for red-tails once before). Right in line with current trends throughout the Central Valley, we hit new highs for Eurasian Collared-dove, Common Raven, and Great-tailed Grackle. Our collared-dove numbers reflect the phenomenal explosion of this species: zero for 2002-2005, 2 in 2006, 13 in 2007, 7 in 2008, and 102 this year. Where will it peak?"
Sacramento, Dec. 29
Compiler Mark Cudney reported that the Sacramento Christmas Count netted 157 species. "This was not as high as our record-setting performance in 2007 of 163 species, but still one of the highest inland counts in the country," he said. "Species of note included 3 Eurasian Wigeons, one Greater Scaup, one Common Loon, one Lesser Yellowlegs, 10 Western Sandpipers, one Glaucous Gull, one Violet-green Swallow, two Brown Creepers, two Winter Wrens, one Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, one Varied Thrush, one Phainopepla, one Black-throated Gray Warbler, four Townsend's Warblers, two Chipping Sparrows, two White-throated Sparrows, one Pine Siskin, and one Western Tanager. Species that we have seen in the past but missed this year included Redhead (although seen count week), Clark's Grebe, Cattle Egret, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Hutton's Vireo (ugh), Purple Finch. Thanks to the well-organized area leaders and all 66 participants."
Putah Creek, Dec. 20
Compiler Steve Hampton reported: "The 2009 Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count had 72 participants, who counted birds in decent weather thru most of the day. By late afternoon, the clouds turned to rain, but most of the teams were nearly done by then. We logged 164 party hours (the same as last year) and traveled 78 miles on foot, 230 miles by car, 8 miles by boat, and a 5 miles by bike. Thirteen hours owling was the most in many years.
"We found 142 species, again the same as last year. We added one new species to the count, Ross’s Goose, and one new subspecies, “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow. This latter issue is under review, as the subspecies we are finding appears to be altavagans, which some consider (and possibly report as) “Red” Fox Sparrow. Record high counts were set for 13 species:
Wood Duck, Clark’s Grebe, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Virginia Rail, Eurasian Collared-Dove (from 2 to 31 to 120 in the last three years), Acorn Woodpecker (for the third year in a row), Nuttall’s Woodpecker, American Crow, Common Raven, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird, and Orange-crowned Warbler. We also had a 3rd ever count record of “Pink-sided” Junco. Our 628 Lark Sparrows was the highest in 25 years.
"The only record low count was for American Coot. Yellow-billed Magpies seemed to rebound for the first time since the arrival of West Nile Virus, but Oak Timouse numbers remained depressed. Thanks to all the area leaders, potluck organizers, and others who helped make this a great CBC!"
Stockton, Dec. 20
Compiler Jim Rowoth reported: "What started out as a cold, gray winter day ended up with blue skies and pleasant temps. Our unofficial species count is 143; biggest misses--Western Sandpiper, Rough-legged Hawk, Varied Thrush, Burrowing Owl, Hutton's Vireo, Prairie Falcon, Swainson's Hawk. This last species used to be "our" specialty, our count providing the first documented evidence that not all Swainson's head for the Argentine pampas for winter. Swainson's Hawk are now showing up on other area CBCs, while we have missed them the past few years.
"Highlights were Winter Wren, Short-eared Owl, Western Grebe, Redhead, Peregrine Falcon, Townsend's Warbler, Hooded Merganser, Mountain Bluebird, American Avocet (highest number ever), Rock Wren, American White Pelican, Thayer's Gull, and possible Black Rail. New to the count was Violet-green Swallow, found among a flock of Tree Swallows by the intrepid Sacramento AS team on Staten Island. Our unofficial final tally of birds is 185,723 individuals. Thanks to the 52 counters who came out to spend the day in the field for our 42nd annual Stockton count."
Woodfords, Dec. 19
Dan Brown reported: "Thanks very much to all for the help on a nice December day in the High Sierra! And a special thank to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station for the great pie and sandwiches!
"I have tallied up the count and the species total stands at 81. This is a little better than average, according to my records. The highlight was the Northern Pygmy-Owl found near the Woodfords Store early in the morning by Dan Williams and Terry Thomas! COOL! Also notable were 190 Pinyon Jays, 1 Northern Goshawk and 1 Peregrine Falcon (new for the count, according to my records), 2 Loggerhead Shrikes and 16 Bushtits. Lowlights were the very low numbers of all birds (except Pinyon Jay) and the discovery of Eurasian Collared Doves in downtown Markleeville, also new for the count."
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