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Chatham Co. Fall Count results
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Chatham Co. Fall Count results
- From: "Will Cook" <cwcook@duke.edu>
- Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2003 23:54:30 -0400
- Delivered-to: pardo@metalab.unc.edu
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
The 2003 Chatham County (NC) Fall Count on Sept. 20, part of the North
American Migration Count, was an average count in terms of number of
species, individual birds, and participation. This year we ended up
with 98 species (average 101) and 3381 birds (average 3625). We had 17
observers in 13 parties (averages 21 and 12) and 67.3 party-hours
(average 74). This count was even average on a birds per party-hour
basis, with 50.3 (average 51.7).
Not-so-average, five species are new to the count this year -- an
Acadian Flycatcher heard and a Kentucky Warbler seen by Norm Budnitz
and Patsy Bailey near Patsy's home, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher seen by
Will Cook at the Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Site trail, 3 Tree
Swallows seen flying over the Northeast Creek Impoundment by Will Cook,
and a Song Sparrow seen by Amalie Tuffin at Big Woods Road. Other
goodies included our second count records for both Common and Forster's
Terns at Ebenezer (Josh Rose and Jim Coulton) and third Red-breasted
Nuthatches (Andy Upshaw). One bird that may have been a first count
record, but was a bit too far to clinch the ID, was a possible
hurricane-blown Sandwich Tern seen by Norm at Vista Point.
We set a number of record highs: Red-shouldered Hawk (27), Ring-billed
Gull (76), Caspian Tern (19), Common Tern (12), Forster's Tern (41),
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (17), Belted Kingfisher (18), Great Crested
Flycatcher (5), Red-breasted Nuthatch (2), American Robin (68),
Ovenbird (7), and Scarlet Tanager (36). In addition, a flock of 100
small tern sp. was seen in the afternoon from the Farrington Road
bridge by Ginger Travis and Norm Budnitz. The large numbers of terns
and gulls may have been blown in by Hurricane Isabel, which passed well
to the east two days before the count. Our previous record high for
all terns and gulls combined was just 5; this year we had about 250.
We set two record lows, Red-tailed Hawk (2) and Wood Thrush (1). Big
misses this year include Green Heron and Sharp-shinned Hawk.
We had an average warbler count with 19 species (average 19) and 130
non-Pine individuals (average 145). Most common warblers were Pine
(78), American Redstart (33), Common Yellowthroat (30), Northern Parula
(12), and Magnolia Warbler (11).
Because of the high water levels, we had no mudflats and almost no
shorebirds - a pathetic 2 species and 1 non-Killdeer individual (a
Spotted). That's still better than last year, though!
Best individual party count this was Will's 64 species and 766 birds in
the 751 bridge area.
Thanks to all participants! Pray for mudflats (and shorebirds) next
year!
Will Cook, compiler
--
Charles W. "Will" Cook w 919-660-7423
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook cwcook@duke.edu
Biology Dept., Duke Univ., Box 90340, Durham, NC 27708