Redhead, American Widgeon ducks. photo by Jeff Wright
From Bill Portlock, WBCBC Compiler
Dear Washington’s Birthplace Christmas Count participants,
Thank you for participating in the 2021 annual George Washington’s Birthplace Christmas Bird Count. This was our 29th consecutive year. The National Audubon Society counts this as year 122 since it is the 122nd year of the national count.
Our December 19, 2021 count was notable for the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and no compilation dinner again, among other things. Despite this, our participant numbers (24) and efforts in the field (miles and hours, on foot and in vehicles and by wheelchair) were higher than in previous years. Thank you. With a few exceptions, birds seemed harder to find in any large numbers due to morning rain/wind. Our total of 97 species was lower than many of our previous years’ counts where we exceeded 100 species.
While the 15,000+ canada geese reported this year is a large number, it was c. 8,000 fewer than last year’s total of 24081. Eighteen waterfowl species were reported but all 3 species of scoters, long-tailed duck, and both usual loon (waterbird) species were missed due to the high winds creating 2-3-foot breaking waves on the Potomac River.
Many species’ numbers hovered on the low count side. Only 16 great blue herons were reported from all parties combined, and were the only waders making the count tally. While a respectable eleven raptor species were reported (buteos, accipiters, eagles, falcons and owls), bald eagle (119) was the only species in the raptor group in double digits.
An all-time high of 30 laughing gulls were at Leedstown wile a single bonaparte’s gull was found across the Rappahannock River in Essex Co. Pileated woodpeckers were a high count species with 36 reported. Sadly, bobwhite were not found this year. Brown creeper (13), house wren (2), and winter wren (12) comprised high count species while 32 fox sparrows, 75 rusty blackbirds, and a remarkable 14 palm warblers completed the species noted in the high count category.
I wish you a happy and safe 2022. Good birding!
Species Count Summary
cw = Reported count week
US = Flagged as an unusual species
HC = Flagged as an unusually high count
LC = Flagged as an unusually low count