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2009 Christmas Bird Count (12/19/09) Highlights
The Eastside Audubon Society (EAS) had the 2009 CBC on Saturday, Dec. 19. It was cloudy and cool all day, temperatures of 42-48 F., with some light rain. Many of the ponds still had ice on them from the recent cold weather which resulted in fewer waterfowl than usual. We had a record 54 people covering eight areas (the CBC circle is centered just south of Beaver Lake in Sammamish).
We also had five backyard bird counts and ended up with 94 species which is our second highest total, compares to a high of 95 in 2008 CBC. The total of 18,134 birds was the highest of the last 7 years. Major surprises were:
American Bittern – one seen in East Snoqualmie Valley – first ever recorded for our CBC
Gray Jay – 5 is highest count for only third year reported by Gene Hunn hiking up Tiger Mt.
Merlin – 1 is only 5th year recorded
Ruffed Grouse – 1 in a backyard count is only 5th year recorded
American Pipit – 1 and only second ever recorded with 6 in 1999
Western Tanager – 1 seen on East L. Sammamish Trail is first ever for EAS CBC
Following are other highlights and major changes in the bird counts over the past 15 years.
Tundra Swan – 5 and only 3rd year reported.
Canada Goose – 1722 – highest ever recorded
Cackling Goose – 2611 – highest of only 5 years as separate species, previous high 306 in 2007
Northern Shoveler – 5 is 2nd lowest
Gadwall – 32 is 2nd lowest to 24 in 1994
Ring-necked Duck – 156 is 2nd highest to 168 in 1994
Ruddy Duck – 1 is 2nd lowest to 0 in 2006
Bald Eagle – 39 is 2nd highest to 41 in 2007
American Coot – 264 is 2nd lowest total to 262 in 1995
Ring-billed Gull – 359 is 2nd highest to 1581 in 1994
Mourning Dove – 19 (14 in backyard counts) is 3rd highest to 56 in 2006
Anna’s Hummingbird – 24 (12 in backyard counts) is 2nd highest to 25 in 2004
Northern Flicker – 101 is highest recorded
Steller’s Jay – 121 is highest with 99 reported in 2008
Common Raven – 20 is 2nd highest to 21 in 2005
Black-capped Chickadee – 323 is 2nd highest to 329 in 2007
Red-breasted Nuthatch – 28 highest, previous high 26 in 1995
Brown Creeper – 28 is 2nd highest to 29 in 2003
Cedar Waxwing – 67 is only 6th year recorded with high of 72 in 1996
Northern Shrike – 4 ties with 2008 as highest
Spotted Towhee – 123 s 2nd highest to 141 in 2003
Dark-eyed Junco – 740 is highest with previous high of 471 in 2007
Red-winged Blackbird – 2277 is highest with previous high is 1857 in 1999
Purple Finch – 45 is highest and compares to 39 in 2007
Other birds seen during count week, but not on count day include a Clark’s Nutcracker, Barred Owl and Brant goose.
A complete list of birds seen by each of the eight areas and the total summary from 1994-2009 can be obtained by email from Hugh Jennings at h2ouzel@comcast.net.
