ENHS Nature Trails February 2004 Article 3

2003 Christmas Bird Count
by Herb Wisner

It¹s that time again. Time to muse over the results of the CBC of 1-04-04. The highlight , perhaps, was the window of one day of good weather sandwiched between several days of miserable conditions. We lucked out again. In spite of the snow, ice, freezing rain, cold temperatures on days preceding the count, more than the average number of species were checked off. As a result of a compilation by Noah Stryker of selected info about counts since 1970 , it has been possible to make some quick comparisons of current with past results. Let¹s take a look--in more or less checklist order:

Common Loons are not common here in Eugene, having been seen in only 9 of the past 34 counts. Make that (now) 10 out of 35. - The Horned Grebe is another rather rare visitor to the count day. - Western Grebes (at 26) were almost a no show compared to a high of 245. - Clark¹s Grebes were in residence at Fern Ridge last summer but not confirmed on January 4. - Alas, the 2 White Pelicans that were almost permanent residents a couple of years ago have not been returned by their kidnappers. There was never even a ransom note. But, at least, the species makes a summer appearance. - Like the little ditty "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?" I¹d like to know "How many fish all the cormorants gulp since cormorants do gulp fish?" Fewer cormorants this year but still plenty. - In my next llife, if I return as a bird, I hope I¹ll be migratory and not a heron or egret (or other) that find the dinner table is an occasional sheet of ice. - Some low IQ Turkey Vultures seem to have the impression that they can make a living year round here. Maybe they have noted how many red light runners we have and that there is bound to be profit in that. - A Canada Goose population of more than 54,000 seems like plenty, but it wasn¹t a record. Lots of people think we could do with lots fewer. Six lucky teams didn¹t report any. - Where are all the Tundra Swans this year? A flock of 40 near the airport was the largest bunch. - All the expected duck species were present but mostly in quite reduced numbers. Mallards came in at one sixth the record number, Buffleheads, however, went all out, setting a new record at 1,425 (previous high, 83). - We still have a couple of Ospreys that believe in Eugene. If I were they, I¹d evaluate the virtues of Oregon over Mexico for winter happiness. Maybe Mexican fish are hazardous to their health. - Where do all the White-tailed Kites come from? And where do they go come spring and summer? Thirty beats the previous record by four. - Hawk numbers were reasonably normal. - In the shorebird category, all species were down in numbers except Least Sandpipers, which, at 369, beat the record by 163. - Gulls, too, were fewer in number. We need a gull expert to roam the gull hot spots to concentrate on identities and numbers. - Mourning Doves boosted their record from 419 to 431. Those people with Dennis Arendt were treated to 148 of these. That ought to be a record for a single segment of our circle. - We could use more owl hunters. Maybe this would appeal to those of you who will celebrate New Years Eve in 2006. Count day will be the first of January so just leave your party shortly after midnight and seek these denizens of the dark until dawn. If the party leaves you with double vision, just divide your count by two. - I would have expected home counters to have the most Anna¹s hummers, but field teams had the edge. If we knew of all the backyards that had feeders, there would be a lot more of these. - Every team noted at least one Northern Flicker. Lots recorded but no record. It might be interesting to take a summer count of flickers to make a comparison. - Lots of jays too, but nothing to crow about. Oh yes, and neither were the latter. - Horned Larks are pretty rare on our counts (8 times). The 85 seen by Fred Chancey's team in the northwest sector more than doubled the previous high. - Swallows are unusual in winter but not unknown. There were two more Barn Swallows than ever previously recorded. One of our home count people reported seeing swallows on January 13 along West D Street in Springfield. - No one escaped seeing Black-capped Chickadees. I doubt that anyone objected. - White-breasted Nuthatch numbers improved compared to the past several years. but still far short of any record. - Ten teams encountered Bushtits and reported specific numbers. Oh yeah? Bushtits are dedicated to keeping their population size a secret.. - The only wrens of note were the Marsh Wrens - two more than ever before. - This year was only the third time for Dippers to report in. - Thirteen teams and several home counters boosted our record for Hermit Thrushes from 28 to 37. - Two teams didn¹t see any Robins. Amazing! - We usually count on the LCC contingent to supply the Wrentits, but this year they were seen in 5 additional areas. No increase in total numbers however. - I don¹t do Starlings. You¹re welcome to if you wish. - Cedar Waxwings were really deficient. - Nothing sensational about warblers. - Towhees improved their record. - This count was the 6th time for a Tree Sparrow (Fisher Butte), the 10th for a Chipping Sparrow and the 9th for a Swamp Sparrow. White-crowned Sparrows (at 453) exceeded their previous high of 325. - Juncos are the most numerous species at feeders all over the country but they also abound in the boonies. We have lots. There are always a few Slate-colored types around. Look at those Juncos you have carefully. - Blackbird numbers were in much reduced numbers and no one picked out a Cowbird this time. - Red Crossbills were a good find by one team but not unknown in the past. - Purple and House Finches weren¹t sensational. - I can¹t help asking how 3 teams saw only one Pine Siskin each. Don¹t they always come in bunches? All told there weren¹t very many. Maybe they have suffered from the disease that has hit them strongly in other parts of the country. - American Goldfinches were tallied by 6 teams (48 total) while the rest (66) were visiting feeders. - There was one all black-backed Lesser Goldfinch seen at one feeder. One last comment - Egyptian Geese have been spotted for several years now but we won¹t count them unless they start a breeding population - heaven forbid.

And so, one more year is added to the history of Eugene Christmas Bird Counts. Many thanks are due to all the faithful team leaders who serve year after year and to all those who volunteer to help them out, as well as the home counters who, collectively, provide a considerable contribution. Well over 200 hours were spent by those in the field.

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