The weather for the 2010 Kingston CBC was less than enjoyable in the morning, but we managed to tally a respectable 65 species for the day. This is right on the average for the count (the record is 71).

The highlight of the count was the Cackling Goose that John Habig’s team found at a pond along Spencer Road. This pond is a pretty remarkable place: in the last five years, we have recorded Snow Goose, Ross’ Goose, Cackling Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose at this pond. Now someone just needs to find a Brant there next year!

Unfortunately, there was also a low point this year. This was the first time that a Rough-legged Hawk was not found on count day. This count was started to monitor the large number of wintering raptors in the area. As many as 75 of these hawks were recorded in the late 70’s, so it is indeed a depressing day when we fail to find a single one. Monitoring this kind of trend is why the CBC’s are so important.

Species List:

Great Blue Heron 4
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 52
Canada Goose 3009
Black Duck 2
Mallard 168
Redhead 2
Hooded Merganser 5
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper’s Hawk 8
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 45
American Kestrel 24
Ring-necked Pheasant 2
Wild Turkey 3
American Coot 1
Rock Pigeon 266
Mourning Dove 1271
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-headed Woodpecker 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 39
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 56
Hairy Woodpecker 10
Northern Flicker 46
Pileated Woodpecker 5
Blue Jay 170
American Crow 290
Horned Lark 9
Carolina Chickadee 127
Tufted Titmouse 55
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 43
Brown Creeper 13
Carolina Wren 30
Golden-crowned Kinglet 30
Eastern Bluebird 48
Hermit Thrush 168 Mal 2
Northern Mockingbird 16
European Starling 4591
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Eastern Towhee 4
American Tree Sparrow 90
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 75
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 97
White-crowned Sparrow 77
Dark-eyed Junco 105
Northern Cardinal 226
Red-winged Blackbird 16
Eastern Meadowlark 26
Common Grackle 2413
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 79
American Goldfinch 58
House Sparrow 234

Additional Species/ comments:
Barn Owl – 1
Cackling Goose -1
Ring-necked Duck – 3