Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2001 09:25:09 EST Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Gaskill Subject: Fort Belvoir CBC - preliminary results Comments: To: VA-BIRD@list.audubon.org MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Folks, The Fort Belvoir CBC was held Sunday, Dec 31, 2000. In general, weather conditions for the count were good with sunny skies greeting participants, turning partly cloudy by mid-afternoon. The temperature range was 14-38 F with the most wind felt in mid-afternoon - the nocturnal birding was a bit chilly but the comfort level for daytime birding was fine for most in the field yesterday. One body of still water was partly open and moving water was partly open. The following are preliminary results based upon the reports that have been submitted to me - I still await some addtional information which may affect the statements below. Please treat rare or unusual bird reports as tentative, some awaiting documentation or verification. Overall, many bays were frozen resulting in some reduced waterfowl numbers, although the species diversity appears to be similar to past years although DC Cormorant has not been reported. The river and bay ice resulted in ready perches for Bald Eagles and many observers reported double digit numbers of eagles perched on the ice could be observed from a single viewing location; the total eagle count will once again far exceed 100 birds. Counts for the other raptors were similar to recent averages except for three species further discussed below. Rails, shorebirds and Laughing Gulls were greatly affected by the freeze with no King Rails observed - the first time since 1993 - or Laughing Gulls - the first time since 1992 - no American Woodcock was observed for the first time since 1969 and only singles of Greater Yellowlegs and Common Snipe reported. Owl numbers were approximately equal to recent averages. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, and Brown Creeper numbers were also approximately equal to recent averages. Numbers of both Kinglet species were up and greater than recent averages. A good count of winter hardy warblers was obtained - not only were Yellow-rumped Warbler numbers greater than recent averages but record number of Pine Warblers (7) were reported and single representatives of Palm Warbler and Common Yellowthroat were found. Sparrow numbers appear to be close to recent averages and, interestingly, Swamp Sparrow numbers were above recent averages. And, winter finch numbers were down with claims of just a few birds reported from one area. Lastly, the circle reported about 116 species, down a bit from recent averages but similar to counts in the early 90's. Highlight species were: No. Goshawk reported from 2 locations - an immature in the Mt Vernon parking lot area and another located in the Lake Accotink area (both Fairfax Co) - the latter attracted to some meat hung out in a yard. This species has been reported 2X on the count in the last 20 years. Merlin at Julie Metz Wetlands (Pr William Co) - a reliable report from a very interesting area to bird. This bird has been reported 4X in the last 20 years. Peregrine Falcon (Fairfax Co) - an unconfirmed report of a southbound bird along the Potomac, viewed from the Mason Neck peninsula. This bird has been reported 1X in the last 20 years. Lincoln's Sparrow (Fairfax Co) - Found in an area of weedy grasses amongst fallen trees in a frozen wetland along Pohick Creek about a mile upstream from the Pohick Regional Park marina; this area contained a large number of Song and Swamp Sparrows. (Dunlin was not found on count day but remains as a Count Week bird.) Other species found that have been observed less than half the time in the last 20 years on the count, but more than half the time in the last 10 years (this is an indicator of either increased species abundance or more effective cound circle coverage): Black-crowned Night Heron, Black Vulture (now regularly observable in small numbers along the coastal plain of Fairfax and Pr William Co), Wild Turkey (population recovering in several locations), Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Black-backed Gull (population apparently increasing), Pine Warbler (a remarkable 6 found in the Mt Vernon Sector, part of a mixed Bluebird-Yellow-rumped Warbler-Goldfinch flock), Palm Warbler at Mason Neck Refuge, Chipping Sparrow at Colonial Farms MD. Species observed that are seen more than half the time in the last 10 and 20 years: Mute Swan, Snow Goose, No. Shoveler, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Boneparte's Gull, House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat, and White-crowned Sparrow. Finally, those species that are probably regular every winter but are often difficult to locate that were reported yesterday: Horned Grebe (Mason Neck area of the Potomac), Redhead (ditto), Greater Scaup (ditto), Long-tailed Duck (ditto), Common Snipe (1 - Occoquan Refuge), Red-headed Woodpecker (single birds at several remote locations), E. Phoebe (good numbers with at least 14 observed in various locations), Red-breasted Nuthatch (an uncomfirmed feeder bird), Winter Wren (at least 45 observed), Gray Catbird (3), American Pipit, Eastern Towhee (at least 35 observed), American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark (more in Fairfax Co than Pr William Co!), Purple Finch (unconfirmed), and Pine Siskin (unconfirmed). I plan to publish a more complete list in the near future once final reports are received. Let me take this moment to thank all the volunteers, Sector Leaders and others whose great and timely assistance made this count take place. May the New Year Bring Good Birds to All! Kurt Gaskill ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================