2007 Delaware CBC

Moving water and large bodies of water were open. While there were no loons, there were a record number of Horned Grebes (3). Thanks to David Johnson’s attention to detail we added Tundra Swan to our species list, our 107th species. In 2004 we had 3 unidentified swans, but now we have a confirmed species. After a record number (2492) in 2005 and a precipitous drop to 846 in 2006, Canada Geese were at 1002, almost indistinguishable from the 20-year average of 1022. American Black Duck (11) and Mallard (117) were seen in average numbers. Hooded Mergansers (8) were well above last year (4) and the 20-yr average (2.2), but well below our record number of 18 seen in 2004.

Hawks and falcons were generally about average or below. The number of Red-tailed Hawks (20) tied our record lows in 1988 and 1991. American Kestrels (19) were down from last year and substantially below the 20-yr average of 34, but not quite to the record low of 9 (2000). Cooper’s Hawks were down form 2006, but still substantially above the 20-yr average of 6. We usually see 1-3 individuals of the other species so the number of hawks was down generally. This probably reflects the wind and lack of visibility more than the number of live hawks in the area. Most Red-tails seemed to be perched low in the trees, which made them less visible than usual.

Pheasants and turkeys were down a bit, but not out of the usual range of numbers. Numbers of gulls were above average, although the number of Ring-billed Gulls were down from last year. Pigeons and Mourning Doves were fewer than last year, but the decline was substantial in pigeons, which were almost at a record low.

Owls, like hawks, were scarce, although we had Long-eared Owls for only the second time in 20 years. Again, weather conditions may have had a lot to do with the lack of Great Horned and Barred owls. However, Short-eared Owls seem to have largely disappeared from the count in recent years, which probably reflects the loss of fallow fields, most of which have become housing developments.

Kingfishers (4) were down from their record high (19) of last year. All species of woodpeckers decreased. The number of Downy Woodpeckers reached a record low, but the decline also occurred among Red-bellied, Hairy, and Pileated, woodpeckers and Northern Flicker.

Horned Larks were another story altogether. We saw a record number of Horned Larks, 2717. Kirsten Lehtoma won the Horned Lark Award for a record third time with an estimate of 1963. For all would-be winners of this coveted trophy, Kirsten has a strategy. If there is no snow cover she guesses her birth month and date, 213. If there is snow on the ground, she guesses her birth year. The latter was her guess this year and it was the highest estimate in a crowded field. Although she was almost 800 larks below the estimate, she was our 2007 winner and has the trophy and bragging rights until next December.

Numbers of crows, Blue Jays, and chickadees were down from last year, but within the average range, titmice were significantly below their 20-yr average. White-breasted Nuthatches were present in average numbers, but well below last year’s record high. Red-breasted Nuthatches were back after missing the count last year. Creepers were a bit more common than usual, but Carolina Wrens and Golden-crowned Kinglets were way below the record high counts of 2006. The numbers of both species were very close to the 20-yr. average.

Only four Eastern Bluebirds were seen, which was a record low. Robins were also relatively scarce as were Northern Mockingbirds. Cedar Waxwings, another fruit-dependent species were more common than in most years. Go figure.

The number of starlings were significantly below their average. Is everyone counting them? One of the biases of the CBC is the undercounting of common species, which would include the starling. Meanwhile, Yellow-rumped Warblers were our only warblers and a bit more common than last year.

Sparrows were generally more numerous on the 2007 count than usual. The notable exceptions were Song and Swamp sparrows. Song Sparrows were still within the expected range of numbers, but we found no Swamp Sparrows for the first time since 2003. American Tree Sparrows, on the other hand, were the most numerous we have seen since 1989. The White-throated Sparrow population was the second highest it has ever been and Dark-eyed Juncos set a new record at 633 individuals.

Perhaps the real news of the count was the record number of Lapland Longspurs, 416. Every team had longspurs and everyone had at least one good look at them. Snow Buntings were also abundant, the second most ever seen.

After a record number (35) in 2005, Eastern Meadowlarks were absent, but other blackbirds picked up the slack. Cowbirds were significantly more numerous than usual, though the number was not a record. Ten Rusty Blackbirds showed up, which sure beats the previous record of three.

Not much news among the finches. Goldfinches were well below last year’s record number, but the numbers were slightly above average and House Finches were about as numerous as last year.

The news at the end of the list was that House Sparrows were at a record low of 574. This continues a population trend from a high in 2002 to this count’s low. Are they moving back to Europe?

The 2007 count was the third time we have found 66 species. The number of observers, party hours, and party miles were down somewhat from last year when we saw 63 species, but comparable to 2004 and 2005 when we also saw 66 species.

Please circle Sunday, 21 December 2008 on your calendars. That is the date of the 2008 Delaware Reservoir Christmas Count. Let’s set a record for participants, parties, and species.