Allegany County Fall Count 1998
Ray Kiddy (rrkiddy@hereintown.net)
Wed, 07 Oct 1998 22:53:59 -0400
Hi Everyone,
The 9th Allegany County, MD, Fall Bird Count on September 12, 1998 set a
new record of 122 species, exceeding the 117 counted in 1992.
Interestingly, the 4,019 individuals was lower than every other year
except 1994. The twenty-one participants on 12 counts typically
reported they were pleased with their individual results. The morning
temperature of 60 degrees with 25% cloud cover and light winds gave way
to temperatures in the high 80s, a tough, blue cloudless sky and
variable winds around 10 mph. Fall count participants always want to
catch the peak of Broad-winged migration. For the fifth consecutive
year, we missed badly -- finding only 11 birds. However, the Kestrel
flight was easily the best one yet. Four species were found for the
first time: Common Moorhen, Whip-poor-will, Cliff Swallow and Lark
Sparrow bringing to 179 the total number of different species found on
the 9 counts to date. Twenty three warbler species were found matching
the previous high in 1992. Palms and Redstarts showed up in the best
numbers thus far as did Parulas and Blackburnians. Cedar Waxwings were
everywhere but House Finches were quite low again. And the four Rusty
Blackbirds were exceptionally early, missing the "Yellow Book" early
fall arrival date by only 1 day. Ducks had not yet arrived and
shorebirds were pretty scarce. The count was early enough to still pick
up 23 Nighthawks and the two Philadelphia Vireos were a good find. But
the regular winter visitors had not shown up yet.
If anyone is interested in the full count, I have a 38KB Excel
spreadsheet which shows all 9 counts. Let me know at
rrkiddy@hereintown.net and I'll e-mail it directly. And consider this
an open invitation to join us next year for the 10th.
Happy Trails ....
Ray Kiddy
Cumberland, MD
rrkiddy@hereintown.net