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2008 Christmas Bird Count (1/3/09) Highlights
The Eastside Audubon Society (EAS) finally had its CBC on Saturday, Jan. 3 after being postponed from Dec. 20 due to weather. It was cloudy and cool all day with 2-3” of snow on the ground areas, but it didn't rain so was a pleasant day for birding.
We had 38 people covering eight areas plus four backyard bird counts and ended up with 95 species which is our highest total, compares to a high of 93 in 2002. The total of 11,567 birds however was about 5,000 below the average of the last 15 years. Following are the highlights and major changes in the bird counts.
Greater White-fronted Goose – 13 was the highest of the 5 years they have been reported, 2004-08.
Cackling Goose – have only been on the list since 2005 and the 20 seen was low, 159-306 in other years.
Wood Duck – 17 was the highest of the 3 years reported.
Canvasback – 14 was highest of 7 years reported.
Common Goldeneye – 4 was the lowest of 15 years
Barrow’s Goldeneye – 5 was the highest of 9 years reported
Hooded Merganser – 27 was lowest of 15 years
Ruddy Duck – 5 this year, 4 in 2007 and 0 in 2006 – have steadily decreased since high of 158 in 1995.
Bald Eagle – 36 is only exceeded by 41 in 2007.
American Kestrel – 3 is highest of 13 years reported
American Coot – 306 is lowest since 262 in 1995
Spotted Sandpiper – 1 and only 4th year seen
Dunlin – 3 is lowest for 7 years seen, 146 seen in 2002
Ring-billed Gull – 15 is lowest of 15 years
Rock Pigeon – 81 is lowest of 15 years
Red-breasted Sapsucker – 13 is highest of 12 years reported.
Pileated Woodpecker – 16 is highest of 15 years
Gray Jay – only reported in 2007 & 2008 because Gene Hunn climbed Tiger Mt. in the snow.
Steller’s Jay – 99 is highest of 15 years
Common Raven – 15 is 3rd highest to 21 in 2005, more than 5 only seen in 5 of last 6 years
Cedar Waxwing – 2 is lowest of 5 years reported
Northern Shrike – 4 is highest of 7 years reported
Lincoln’s Sparrow – 1 ties the lowest of 12 years reported
Savannah Sparrow – 1 ties for low of only 4 years reported
White-throated Sparrow – 1 this year and only 1 or 2 seen in 7 years reported
Red Crossbill – 12 is second highest of 4 years reported, 14 in 2004
Evening Grosbeak – 33 is second highest of 4 years reported, 49 seen in 2005
The following mammals were also recorded – 4 raccoon, 2 flying squirrel, 1 black bear, 3 river otter, 2 coyote, and 1 Douglas’ squirrel.
Complete report for this years CBC and the 15 year report are available by contacting Hugh Jennings at hughbirder@earthlink.net.
