Date:         Tue, 16 Dec 2003 19:35:09 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         "George M. Jett" <gmjett@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: St Michaels CBC - Unofficial Summary
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Carol
Thanks
George
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol /Oscar Ghebelian" <gheb@BELLATLANTIC.NET>
To: <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 2:44 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] St Michaels CBC - Unofficial Summary


> George
>
> You may be interested in this report.  Note the numbers DOWN at the 
> end.  Wonder what we will find.
>
> carol
>
> Les Roslund wrote:
> >
> >         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).
> >
> >         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).
> >         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
> >              to have experienced winter kill during the winter of
'02-'03)
> >
> >         Eastern Bluebird (20%) - definitely reflecting winter kill
> >
> >         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
> >                 six of them while scouting on Saturday)
> >         Northern Bobwhite - count total finally reached ZERO (last 
> > year
a
> >                 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.
> >
> >
> > Les Roslund
> > Lroslund@bluecrab.org
> > Talbot County
> > Easton MD 21601
> >
> > ====================================================================
> > ===
> > To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com
> > with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey
> > =======================================================================
>
> --
> Carol Ghebelian
> Indian Head, MD
> gheb@bellatlantic.net
>
> ======================================================================
> =
> To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com
> with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey
> =======================================================================
>

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