Date:         Mon, 15 Dec 2003 21:09:00 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Les Roslund <lroslund@BLUECRAB.ORG>
Subject:      St Michaels CBC - Unofficial Summary
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        The St Michaels Christmas Bird Count was held on Dec 14 in conditions of constant rain, along with a fair amount of wind on a quite chilly day.  Nevertheless, the totals for species count and total birds = were fairly close to those of recent years.  At the end of the day, the = record showed 91 species and 63,229 individuals.  Good coverage was attained = for the entire count region.
        But a closer look at the numbers will show that things were really not all that close to normal. (Note that all numbers shown are = preliminary and unofficial). =09
        First - the good news - the following species were found in 2003, but not found in 2002: American Coot (1), Bonaparte's Gull (2), Northern Pintail (3), Red Head (1), Dunlin (18), and Baltimore Oriole (1 at a feeder). =20
        More Canada Geese were sighted in '03 than in '02 (~36,500 in '02; ~41,500 in '03).  The American Robin count was the highest since '97, = and was triple the '02 number.
        Swans must have found shelter somewhere, for numbers were low for both species.  Yet, for the first time in 5 years, there were more = Tundra Swan than European Mutes (299 Tundra; 194 Mute).

        Now for the bad news. Unusually low counts for the following species were found: (percentage shown is the 2003 number as compared to the = average number for the past 7 years in the St Michaels Count)
        Black Vulture (10%) - these birds seem to have slid away this year
        Turkey Vulture (33%) - kept down by the weather
        All Raptors were low, as would be expected
        Killdeer (20%) - probably around, just well hidden
        C. Chickadee, T. Titmouse, C. Wren - (all at 33%; all of these seem=20
             to have experienced winter kill during the winter of '02-'03) =09
        Eastern Bluebird (20%) - definitely reflecting winter kill=20

        American Crow (60 reported, as compared to around 200 in recent
years)
        House Finch (89 reported, as compared to around 600 in recent years)
        Eastern Meadowlark (none found on count day, but one counter had found=20
                six of them while scouting on Saturday)
        Northern Bobwhite - count total finally reached ZERO (last year a=20
                single bird had been reported). A few coveys are known to be
                around, so weather conditions just kept them from being found.

        Overall, the count was quite a success, with a good number of people out braving the conditions, and all were delighted to find at least some birds.  Most of us were surprised by the 'close to normal' totals.

        =09
Les Roslund
Lroslund@bluecrab.org
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601

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