Saturday, December 17, 2016 Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC
Despite challenging weather conditions that produced consistently heavy snowfall with very low visibility throughout much of the first half of the count day, the 67th annual Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir (NYML) Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted yesterday in Ulster County, NY. Inclement weather, especially a snow event, often has the affect of concentrating birds in sheltered locations and at various food and water resources, typically producing more favorable count results in comparison to an average winter day or exceptionally pleasant conditions. This was apparently the case yesterday as twelve field parties collectively found a new record high 84 species, shattering the previous high count of 79 species from previous years (2014, 2012, and 2007), and well above our most recent ten-year average of 74 species/year. A remarkable ten bird species considered rare or unusual for this particular count circle were encountered on count day, including one species recorded for the first time in the 67-year history of this survey. American Coot was a new addition to the count composite, advancing our historical total to 147 species. Lapland Longspur was found for only the third time, the first since one was recorded in 1988. Peregrine Falcon was also recorded for just the third time, following single records in 2012 and 2009. A Wilson's Snipe represents our fourth overall record (last recorded tens years ago in 2006), a lone Killdeer and a Long-eared Owl were found for only the fifth time, Wood Duck was our sixth record, Gadwall and Merlin were found for the seventh time, and American Pipit was our eight overall record for this CBC. The total number of Merlins (4) represents a new high count, reflecting their expanding presence and wider distribution in the county, with geographically distinct individuals observed by three different field parties. New high counts were also established for Snow Geese (1,285, eclipsing 870 in 2013), Gadwall (16, eclipsing 8 in 2015 and 1993), Rock Pigeon (598, previously 538 in 2005), Red-bellied Woodpecker (101, previously 97 in 2015), Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (19, previously 16 in 2013), Savannah Sparrow (21, eclipsing 14 in 2014), and Dark-eyed Junco (1,822, eclipsing 1,722 in 2013). Our final tally of individuals (13,778) ranked above our recent ten-year average of 12,811, but was greatly influenced this year by a total of 3,919 geese (1,285 Snow/2,634 Canada), following in the wake of an enormous southward movement of Snow Geese flying over the county, with over ten-thousand birds observed in just a few daylight hours on one day earlier this past week. Overall numbers of gulls and American Crows were well below average, but no new record low counts were set for any species. An adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird seen and photographed in the count circle associating with a large flock of mixed blackbirds on two separate occasions just prior to the start of count week was not observed on count day and may ultimately be relegated to the status of a sore count week miss, pending any last-chance appearance over the remaining three days of count week. A summary report with the complete list of species tabulated by sector, including area descriptions and observer and effort information, will be posted on the John Burroughs Natural History Society web site. I gratefully extend by thanks and appreciation to all of the nearly 40 participants who provided complete coverage of the count circle under difficult circumstances, and to those who tried to make it out to their assigned routes but were snowed-in and unable to do so. To everyone that attended and brought something to our always enjoyable post-count compilation at Hasbrouck Park, and to the sector leaders that were not able to make it to the compilation but submitted their data in a very timely manner. And most especially, my sincere thanks and gratitude for Kyla Haber and Mark DeDea for organizing the compilation event and preparing the bulk of all the great food. The 2017 Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC is scheduled for the traditional first Saturday of the count period, December 16, 2017. Steve M. Chorvas Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Compiler Saugerties, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
