ROCKLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 2020 (PRELIMINARY RESULTS)
The 74th Rockland Audubon Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Sunday, December 20, 2020. Thirty-seven field counters (+ 1 fledgling counter) and four feeder counters covered the 10 sub regions within the count circle. During daylight hours (7:15 am 4:30 pm), air temperatures ranged from 18.0 32.6°F. Wind gusts ranged from 3 to 12 mph from the NNW. A 3-6 inch coating of snow was still present from a recent Noreaster still covered the ground. Most lakes, ponds, and smaller creeks were completely frozen over. The Hudson River was ice free. During count day 14,696 individuals representing eighty-two (82) species were tallied in the field. Another 215 individuals, representing twenty-one (21) species, were counted at the feeders. Together, 82 species (14,911 individuals) were tallied. Four additional species (see below) were added during count week. The number of species observed was relatively high by historic standards. The 82 count day species marks the 75th percentile of all RAS count years (1947-2020) and the 61st percentile of all modern RAS circle boundary years (1978-2020). The number of individuals is, however, among the lowest: the 45th percentile for 1947-2020 and 12th percentile for 1978-2020. The ten most abundant species, in descending order, were: Canada Goose, European Starling, Common Merganser, Dark-eyed Junco, Ring-billed Gull, Red-winged Blackbird, White-throated Sparrow, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, and Mallard. Together, they comprised nearly 80% of the total individuals. New high counts were established for: Canada Goose (4,892), Mute Swan (159), Bald Eagle (53), and Carolina Wren (92). The two Purple Sandpipers seen at Piermont Pier this year double the previous high of one seen in 2010! A new high may have also been established for Red-breasted Merganser (113), but counts require validation. Unusual finds were the two Purple Sandpipers observed at Piermont Pier and a Rough-legged Hawk found in the southern portion of Rockland County. By far, our most unusual occurrence was a single Tennessee Warbler observed by Bob Lewis at a feeder in Westchester County during Count Week. This species was new to our count. Significant Count Day misses were: Scaup spp., Common Goldeneye, Pied-billed Grebe, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, and Brown-headed Cowbird. Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebe, and Purple Finch were picked up during Count Week. Ring-necked Pheasant (last seen in 1995) and Ruffed Grouse (last seen in 2001) continue their long absence from the area. Thanks to all our participants and Team Leaders for their efforts during this trying CBC. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and the deep snow, turnout was outstanding and the count itself went remarkably well. Hopefully we will be able to return to our traditional teams, count regimen, and compilation potluck next year. Alan Wells CBC Compiler, RAS -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
