The 64th annual Mohonk Lake-Ashokan Reservoir (Ulster County) Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted this past Saturday, 14 December 2013, under very challenging winter weather conditions. Despite an abbreviated count day for some territories, and an overall lack of access to some secondary roads, 31 participants in nine field parties managed to survey a significant portion of all sectors, recording a very respectable 72 species and 14,033 individuals (plus two additional count week species, pending additions to the count week period).
Our first major snowstorm of the season materialized overnight and continued to produce light snowfall throughout the count day. Temperatures remained below freezing, ranging from an early morning low of 8° (F) to a high of 18° (F) by mid-day on the Lomontville Flats in Hurley. Winds were thankfully calm over most of the count terrain, but visibility was less than ideal under dark foreboding skies with a persistent snowfall. Night skies were solid overcast, precluding any moonlight. Snow continued to accumulate throughout the day, amounting to an average of four to six inches of ground cover by day's end. Major bodies of water and fast moving creeks and streams were predominantly open, with smaller ponds and stagnant marshes completely frozen or partially open, providing some small areas of liquid water. Considering the challenging weather conditions and abbreviated count routines for some sectors, species diversity (72) was very good, above our ten-year average of 70 species/year, and only the sixth time in 64 years that we have exceeded 70 species in this count circle. Total individuals (14,033) were also exceptional, representing our most prolific count since our record-setting 16,092 in 2008, and just 129 species shy of our second highest count of 14,162 in 2007. It should be noted however, our tally was greatly influenced this year by large flocks of Canada Geese moving throughout the count day, accounting for nearly 5,000 individuals and 35% of our total number. No new species were added to the historical count composite this year, but we did not lack for highlights. Best birds of the day were a Dickcissel visiting bird feeders in New Paltz (our fourth overall record, and first since 1966), and a juvenile Iceland Gull associating with a few hundred Herring Gulls at the Mohonk Preserve composting site in New Paltz (third overall record, first since 1995). Two American Pipits foraging on compost mounds off Fording Place in Hurley represent our sixth historical record; two Red-headed Woodpeckers, apparently wintering on territory in the Weston Road marsh on the Esopus/New Paltz town line, were our ninth record for this count; two separate White-crowned Sparrows represent our ninth historical record; and a lingering Gray Catbird along the Hurley Avenue section of the rail trail in Kingston is our 12th count record for this half-hardy species. Fourteen Ring-necked Ducks tied our previous high count from 1974, and represents only our 8th historical record. New high counts were recorded for Snow Goose (870, more than double last year's high count of 425), Red-bellied Woodpecker (77, eclipsing 75 in 2011), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (16, eclipsing 14 in 2011), Hermit Thrush (12, far exceeding our previous high count of 4 in 2009), and Dark-eyed Junco (1,722, significantly eclipsing 1,558 recorded in 2009). One Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 645 American Robins, 312 Cedar Waxwings, 7 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Field Sparrows, 1 Savannah Sparrow, and 17 Swamp Sparrows are also noteworthy for this count. Irruptive winter finches were essentially absent, with only one count week Purple Finch noted. Blackbirds were very modestly represented in single-digit numbers of Red-wings, grackles, and cowbirds. Waterfowl diversity was average and typical for this count, with the exception of the aforementioned Ring-necked Ducks and large numbers of Snow and Canada Geese on the move. Perhaps our most surprising negative was the total lack of Turkey and Black Vultures in historical winter roost areas, though the inclement weather may have very well factored in keeping these soaring birds down and out of sight. Only one Wild Turkey was encountered, one Belted Kingfisher was active, and four Great Blue Herons were recorded. Thanks to the following participants for conducting their assigned routes under adverse conditions, and also to those who attempted to make it out into the field but were not able to do so: David Arner, Christina Baal, Allan Bowdery, Lynn Bowdery, Mira Bowin, Joe Bridges, Bea Conover, Matt Corsaro, Mark DeDea, Lin Fagan, Deb Ferguson, Tom Grady, Christine Guarino, Annie Mardiney, Jim Marks, Frank Murphy, Jeff Nerp, David Nyzio, Jessica Prockup, Doug Robinson, George Rodenhausen, Susan Rogers, Peter Schoenberger, Halley Schwab, Donna Seymour, Steve Stanne, Nava Tabak, John Thompson, Wendy Tocci, and Glen Van Gorden. And once again this year, a very special thanks to Mark DeDea and Kyla Haber, with help from Amy, Lynn, Lin, Jessica, Donna, and Wendy, for providing the facilities, hot food, and beverages for our very enjoyable post-count compilation at Hasbrouck Park in Kingston. Steve M. Chorvas Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Compiler Saugerties, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
