2009 was an interesting count. Bird activity was rather low on count day. The
field observers got between 10 to 14 bird species each on count day and a
combined total of 25 species. Feeder watchers added two more species
(White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco). Because of these low totals we
were able to add six count week birds.
This includes Common Merganser and Bald Eagle spotted on Sunday. One of the
field observers got a Common Goldeneye. Other count week birds include Purple
Finch, American Tree Sparrow and Cedar Waxwing.
Total species was 33, the lowest total since 1986. Since I have been doing the
count the total species have been 44, 34, 37 and 33 from 2006 to 2009.
The only bird that was high was Common Loon with five spotted. 2nd highest
total.
A great many birds were low. Here is a low numbers for a number of species
followed by the year it was the lowest since:
Ruffed Grouse (1) 1986
Pileated Woodpecker (5) 1991
Common Raven (86) 1989
Red-breasted Nuthatch (8) 1986
Even more species were low but comparable to the low count two years ago.
Total number of birds was 1994 which is comparable with the 1664 number of
birds in 2007 and 1797 in 1985.
I figure the factors that made the count low include:
-Fair weather
-Low finch numbers. Hardly any of the finches are predicted to be here this
year
-Fewer field observers and feeder watchers
-Fewer feeders being filled. Up until I took over, the number of feeder
watchers was record breaking.
-With the exception of parts of Trout Lake, no open water
Thanks you to all participants.
Brent Turcotte
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