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Tardy Buncombe County Spring Migration Count Report
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Tardy Buncombe County Spring Migration Count Report
- From: mjwestphal <mjwestphal@unca.edu>
- Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:55:11 -0400
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
The second annual Buncombe County Spring Migration Count took place Sunday,
May 12th with 15 participants. It was another great spring count in the
mountains as the group counted a total of 111 species and 3,884 individual
birds. Most interesting species found were a Black-billed Cuckoo, a Hermit
Thrush (late migrant?), and a flock of 52 Bobolinks. Other interesting finds
were 28 Tree Swallows found in 4 of the 7 sections in the count area. The
breeding range of Tree Swallows has been expanding south into North Carolina
for the past few years and more are found breeding here every year. An
whopping total of 270 Cedar Waxwings were also counted with all sections
finding at least a few. This total greatly exceeds the number found on last
year's count (39). The count in Henderson County the day before also turned
up a record number of Cedar Waxwings.
The Buncombe County count area covers elevations ranging from 2,000 to over
5,000 feet and captures a wide range of species. High elevation birds found
included Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Veery, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The group also found 19 species of warbler and
443 individuals. The warbler numbers were generally lower than last year when
22 species and 535 individuals were found. Most common warblers found were
Ovenbird with a total of 88 followed by 53 Hooded and 47 Black and White.
Scarlet Tanager numbers were also lower than last year with 35 found this year
and 56 last year. Overall more individual birds were found this year,
though, with 3,884 counted versus 3,629 last year. Total species numbers were
very close with 111 this year and 112 last year.
Many thanks to all those who participated in this year's count and I hope
that many more of you will be able to help out on this fun and exciting
adventure next year.