[nysbirds-l] Results of the 2021 Brooklyn Christmas Bird Count

[Michael Yuan]

The *Brooklyn Christmas Bird Count (CBC)*, one of the most urban of counts
in the state, was conducted on Saturday, December 18th, 2021, and compiled
on Zoom. The count circle includes most of the borough of Brooklyn, western
Jamaica Bay, and the western end of the Rockaway peninsula. On a gray and
occasionally spitting day that turned out much nicer than feared, over 100
participants in 12 areas within the count circle recorded *49,961
individuals,* representing *129 species. * These totals exceed our average
totals of 43,897 individuals and 123 species.

*High Counts*

We established all-time high counts of SANDERLING (1,121) more than
doubling our average sum. Our intrepid team of kayakers who explored the
inner regions of Jamaica Bay islands contributed the bulk of the DUNLIN
(907) count. GREAT BLUE HERON (38) flourished in Prospect Park and along
the Brooklyn coast. Perhaps helped by successful, undisturbed breeding in
the borough, GREAT HORNED OWLs (4) were detected in several locations.
1,100 TREE SWALLOWs, composed mainly of one 1000-strong flock that has
roamed the western Rockaways for well over a month, obliterated the
previous high count of 180. Mild temperatures in late autumn assisted in
the high counts of GRAY CATBIRD (48), BROWN CREEPER (18), and AMERICAN
ROBIN (564).

*Low counts*

Continuing a downward trend, counters tallied an all-time low of GREATER
SCAUP (483), which have wholly disappeared from Dead Horse Bay, where they
once amassed in the thousands in winter. We are curious if this flock has
shifted elsewhere, and if nearby count circles have seen an uptick in this
species. SHARP-SHINNED HAWKs (2) were poorly represented, which corresponds
to a notably weak flight of them along the coast this fall. A count of 3
COMMON RAVENs seemed low, as they’ve profoundly settled into urban areas,
but their presence on this year’s count promoted their frequency status to
Regular (seen 8 or more times in the last 10 years). It’s terrific to see
increased observations in the field reflected in the count’s moving average
method of monitoring species’ presence and frequency.

*Rare sightings*

The Brooklyn CBC deems rare species as those seen 0 to 3 times in the last
10 years. Topping the rarities, Emily Peyton and former Brooklyn CBC
compiler and database mastermind, Rick Cech, spotted a LARK SPARROW at
Hendrix Creek, rare for winter in New York and a count first. An
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, seen at Owls Head Park the day before the count,
benevolently stayed the night and became the 2nd occurrence of this species
on the count.

CBCers in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and on the west side of Cross Bay
Boulevard and noted a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, the 4th record and first
seen on the count since 2004, a GREAT EGRET, a single SEMIPALMATED PLOVER,
a drake EURASIAN WIGEON, and 3 flyover DOWITCHERs over the West Pond,
likely LONG-BILLED due to the date, but ultimately left as a “sp.,” as
Short-billed Dowitchers linger in the Northeast.

Rounding out the other rarities, Floyd Bennett Field counters and Jamaica
Bay kayakers tallied a ten-year high count of 74 RED KNOTs. The north shore
of Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, contributed sightings of BALD
EAGLE and LAUGHING GULL to the rare list. Perhaps classified as rare for
the last time, an ICELAND GULL was spotted over Prospect Lake and LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLs (6) were seen on Breezy Point beaches, and will be
promoted to Irregular (seen 4-7 times in the last ten years) for next
year’s count. Increased distribution of gulls in the area, and increased
interest in gulls among birders will hopefully make them regulars on the
count.

*Worst Misses/Count Week birds*

It was tough to miss COMMON GRACKLE, a species seen on 85% of our counts,
and tougher to see eBird reports of large flocks of them in Brooklyn on
adjacent days. We suffered a harsh about-face in missing BONAPARTE’s GULL,
scarcer in the last ten years but seen on 90% of our counts, including an
all-time high of 2,789 in 2020.

This compiler has a sweet and sour feeling towards “count week” birds,
those species not seen on Count Day but seen on the three days before and
after Count Day. While it’s nice to see a variety of species in the area,
the sightings are a stinging reminder of what could have been. This year, a
number of species were not seen on count day, but before and after, such as
a potential count first NORTHERN PARULA, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Thanks to a
recent AOS split, a SHORT-BILLED GULL, first seen on Tuesday, would have
been a count first.

Other count week birds include TURKEY VULTURE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, HOUSE
WREN, NELSON’S SPARROW, and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

A complete report will be published later in the Brooklyn Bird Club’s Clapper
Rail  newsletter. Special thanks
to co-compiler Chris Laskowski for keeping everyone honest, and teams
coordinator Bobbi Manian for always finding a place for everyone. Much
gratitude to the p

[nysbirds-l] Sandhill Cranes (12/19: Lower Hudson CBC) & TWO [extralimital] N. Lapwings 12/22; and Steller's in the Boston papers

[Tom Fiore]

A Northern Lapwing was appearing at Salem County, New Jersey, first reported 
there on Dec. 21, and still being seen on Dec. 22 - apparently a (Salem, N.J.) 
first-county record there.  

And, another Northern Lapwing has been found in Maryland (Queen Anne’s) - also 
from Dec. 21 and again on Dec. 22nd.  Many obsevers have been to see each of 
these separate birds.

. . .
The Boston Globe has come out with a story on the extremely-rare Steller’s Sea 
Eagle that visited Bristol County in southeast Massachusetts - 
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/21/metro/weve-never-had-one-here-rare-stellers-sea-eagle-native-asia-has-been-hanging-out-around-taunton-river/

As for updates on that Sea Eagle, it’s not been mentioned as continuing, in 
that state’s list-serve, beyond 1 *report* noted from early on Dec. 21st which 
although an eBird report, seems not to have made it to the RBA for that county, 
state, or the “ABA” national rare-birds alert for North American rarities 
(which of course, any Steller’s Sea Eagle sighting is one of) - there had been 
hundreds of reports on the Steller’s by as many observers, for Monday, Dec. 
20th.  The Sea Eagle may perhaps still be in that area, and it is also possible 
it had started roaming again. “Eyes to the Skies”!

.  .  .  .
During the Lower Hudson C.B.C., for which 2 states are included in the 
coverage; part on the western = New Jersey side of the lower Hudson river and 
part in New York County (on the eastern = N.Y. City side of the river) a duo of 
*Sandhill Cranes* were seen and beautifully-photographed as they went in a 
s.-w. direction past Jersey City, N.J. - this is a great sighting for that part 
of N.J., and for the particular county over which they were seen & documented 
(Hudson Co., N.J.) and a super addition as well to the entire bird count. Find 
a checklist with photo at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S99127167 
   - congrat’s to the team that were 
able to see these 2 birds.  For the photo on its’ own in the Macaulay Library 
archive, see: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/397320621 


Many other sightings were made for the overall Lower Hudson count, and further 
reports may also come in from the count-week period, as that count concludes 
the 7-day period at the end of 12/22.

- - -
For those who have not read, or perhaps had not known Bryan Pfeiffer’s writing 
& photography - this is just one piece, and he’s penned a lot of eloquent and 
thoughtful other writing, and posted a lot of gorgeous photos, on this 
blog-site. This (my opinion) is worth a close and reflective read, and whether 
or not one agrees with all that’s written there. [N.B., yes I too have been to 
see Five-stripeds and on that same road. Many, many, moons ago…  Meanwhile, 
that species is still to be found there - as well as in the *main* Mexican 
range of that species.]
https://bryanpfeiffer.com/2021/12/02/birdwatchings-carbon-problem/ 
  

Good birds & good health to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
--

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ARCHIVES:
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Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Results

[Steve M. Chorvas]

The 72nd annual Ulster County Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir (NYML) Audubon 
Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted this past Saturday, December 18, 2021, 
under challenging weather conditions.  A total of 54 participants (47 field 
observers and 7 feeder watchers) in 19 field parties encountered a total of 17, 
670 individuals representing 83 species, plus five additional count week 
species, pending any additions.  For historical context, diversity was five 
species above our ten-year average, and total abundance was up 3,865 
individuals.  Participation was also above average this year, approaching if 
not exceeding a record high effort.  Our all-time high count for this circle is 
87 species and 22,307 individuals, both recorded in 2017. 
Overall, most species were present in near average numbers, with a few 
noteworthy exceptions.  Several field parties reported large flocks of American 
Robins, difficult to accurately count as they foraged on an exceptional 
abundance of berries.  Our final conservative tally was 5,949 individuals, 
setting a new record high while greatly surpassing our previous high count of 
3,504 in 2017.  New record high counts were also established for Bufflehead 
(11, compared to 8 in 2018), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (46, eclipsing 40 in 
2017, 20 avg.),  Hermit Thrush (16, eclipsing 13 in 2017, 6.6 avg.), American 
Pipit (138, greatly surpassing 41 in 2015), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (28, 
double our previous high count of 14 in 2017). 
Four Northern Pintail (4th occurrence), one Peregrine Falcon (6th), three 
Chipping Sparrows (7th), and three Gadwall (8th) are unusual species for this 
count, with few previous records.  Three additional unusual species were 
encountered during the count week period, three days before or three days after 
count day.  A count week Palm Warbler represents a first record for the 
historical count composite, Golden Eagle (previously one in 2017 and 1998), and 
Cackling Goose (4th occurrence) were also found during the count week.  

Roving flocks of Canada Geese and ubiquitous American Crows were diminished or 
inactive this year, each amounting to less than half their current ten-year 
averages.  Personally, over more than four decades of participation in various 
CBCs, I can not recall ever going all day without seeing or hearing an American 
Crow, encountering just two individuals very late in the day in waning light.  
Birds that typically flock in large numbers have a significant influence on our 
total abundance number, and this year the impressive flocks of robins 
effectively balanced the lack of geese and crows. 

There were no new record low counts, and no particular species stands out as a 
bad miss, with all of the expected species detected this year.  Common Loon, 
Rough-legged Hawk, Great Black-backed Gull, and Eastern Meadowlark are species 
previously encountered in at least twenty or more years that were not detected 
this year.  Ruffed Grouse (46 past years) and Evening Grosbeak (34 years) were 
also missed, but are no longer expected on this count.
Environmental conditions can best be described as wet and dreary with low 
visibility on count day, and exceptionally mild with no hard freezing or 
snowfall during the weeks prior to the count.  Temperatures were relatively 
mild (34 – 39 °F), changing little throughout the day.  Early morning provided 
the best surveying conditions, with no wind or precipitation under heavy 
overcast skies.  Light rain with occasional sleet and mist moved in by late 
morning and persisted for the duration of the count day.  There was no snow 
cover, and all bodies of water were open with moderate flow rates, providing 
little incentive for birds to congregate, with most feeders attracting 
relatively little activity.
A complete report with a participant list and effort information will be 
published in the John Burroughs Natural History Society newsletter at a later 
date.  Appended below is the species list with number of individuals.  Thanks 
to all of the field participants and feeder watchers for excellent coverage, 
and to the sector leaders for recruiting and organizing their field parties and 
submitting their data in a timely manner.

Steve M. ChorvasMohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC CompilerSaugerties, NY

2021 NYML CBC Summary List
Snow Goose – 1Cackling Goose – cwCanada Goose – 1,258Mute Swan – 5 Gadwall – 3 
American Black Duck – 44Mallard – 341 Northern Pintail – 4 Ring-necked Duck – 
20 Bufflehead – 11 Common Goldeneye – 5 Hooded Merganser – 28 Common Merganser 
– 43 Wild Turkey – 21 Horned Grebe – 8 Great Blue Heron – 6 Black Vulture – 3 
Turkey Vulture – 14 Golden Eagle – cw Northern Harrier – 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk – 
cw Cooper's Hawk – 13 Accipiter sp. – 1 Bald Eagle – 8 Red-shouldered Hawk – 
5Red-tailed Hawk – 50 Ring-billed Gull – 16 Herring Gull – 132Rock Pigeon – 
423Mourning Dove – 322Eastern Screech-Owl – 4Great Horned Owl – 4Barred Owl – 
7Belted Kingfisher – 7Red-headed Woo