Christmas Bird Count (CBC) 2009

I have been so bad at posting lately. I havent felt much like writing. The fact that I have tried to write is obvious since there are 10 almost blank posts in my "edit posts" box.

The CBC and I have a love hate relationship! Its freaking cold. I don't like the cold. It has taken me Nate two years to purchase enough gear; so I don't shiver all day long.  Ski pants, long johns, 100% wool, scarf wide enough to cover the lower half of your face, hat with ear covers, ski gloves attached to your coat (so you can pull them off and on all day long as you need to flip through a book or look at a map), and boots-water proof and insulated. This year, however, it was practically Bikini weather"; reaching almost 40 degrees mid day. My fingers and toes reached the level of warm after the first hour. I didn't shiver once. I still wore all of my gear, even with the higher temperatures.


So "Why would you want to go out and count birds?" This question was asked by my mother in law and I think its a good question.*


* I also felt this question a few days later as I geared up for a romp in the "wilderness" with my good friend Erin. The low for that day was -2 F, so I don't blame all the questioning looks. I hope to post on that experience later.

It is answered a bit over here where I state:

"The CBC  is an essential part of conservative efforts; providing scientists with 109 years of data regarding bird population fluctuations, migration, northward range extensions, and declining species."  

Kind of a bland statement, but what I am trying to say is that the CBC is a citizen science project.  Meaning, I get to go out and gather data for real live scientist to use. Now, knowing that the CBC data is used for science is a great big fuzzy hug for me but, thats not really why I do it.Which brings me to my next quote from me. Originally posted here.

"... birding is not just about the birds. Birding is an experience with nature."

Which is the real reason why I enjoy the CBC. It helps me get outside during a time when I don't like to; during the cold months of winter.

_________________________________________________________________

A short review of the days counts (12/19/2009):


We started out our day at 8:00 am** at the Jordan River Parkway near 2320 S. Here we observed 40 of the 51 species counted. These included Borrows Goldeneye, Buffleheads, Ruddy ducks, and a surprise from a very vocal Kingfisher. We walked for 2.5 hours at this location. The only downer was the removal of a large section of Russian olive trees where I was hoping to see Spotted Towhees, White-crowned Sparrows, and a billion European Starlings.***  Due to the reclaiming of this area, these species were not seen. I was disappointed, even though I know the area will be better for the birds. So in about 50 -150 years... it will be REALLY cool!


** Rather late, really, after hearing that some of the other groups started the night before at 11:30 pm (the count goes from 12:00 am to 11:59 PM; giving 24 hours of counting. Now theres the crazy people!
*** I may be overstating this number a bit.

Our next stop was Decker Lake, an important area that provides shoreline for shorebirds. The water level of the lake was a bit higher than I normally see providing less shore area. Meaning the shorebird numbers were lower and  adding only ONE greater yellow legs, to our list, and no sandpipers. 12 species were observed here.


We then headed to the Stonebridge Golf course area. Veiwing it from 4646s (IHC building) and from the Discover card and Ingenix building parking lot areas. We saw A LOT of Canada geese (772), a Hooded Merganser, 3 Cackling geese, and one Thayer's gull in a group of 299 Ringed-billed gulls; for a total of 19 species.


After the Stonebridge area we went for lunch before heading to the last two areas along the Jordan River Parkway. We still had not seen the Spotted Towhees and White-crowned Sparrows. Two easy birds for our area.


We stopped at the Jordan River parkway along 4700 S and headed south.  Here we saw 23 species including many Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Marsh wren, 3 song sparrows, a Hermit Thrush, and a MERLIN! The first Merlin I have ever seen in Utah. We worked really hard to find the Spotted Towhees and White-crowned Sparrows, and also California Quails and Ringed-neck Pheasants here but never saw them. Due to this, we decided to check another area along the Jordan River Parkway; 4100 S.  We arrived with about an hour of daylight left. Counting 112 Canada geese, one Merlin flew over head, 10 California Quail, and also our Nemesis birds: the Spotted Towhees and White-crowned Sparrows were seen; for a total of 14 species at this last stop.

Christmas Bird Count (CBC) 2008

This is a late post but I wanted to write about the CBC  so I could review my notes before planning next year. Blogging it seems the best way to presserve my thoughts, since I tend to loose any notes I write. Last years notes are yet to be found. :)

The CBC  is an essential part of conservative efforts; providing scientists with 109 years of data regarding bird population fluctuations, migration, northward range extensions, and declining species. The state of Utah currently has 21 count circles and observes between 181-189 species of birds. The SLC circle. the one I count for, usually counts about 100 species with a high of 106 species in 2007. I started the CBC last year. I froze my tooter off. I was unprepared and shivered for 9 straight hours, yet I have looked forward to going again all year. Even when the weather was predicted this year at 18 F as a high and 4 F as the low. Brr! That is cold. Luckily, that is not how it turned out.

Nate went with me this year. I asked him if he would go and take notes and drive me around. I wanted to concentrate on counting the birds. He gracefully obliged. My friend Erin also joined our group. It was nice to have them both there and I hope I have converted them. Nate to work with me in my circle and Erin to join a circle in California, where they not only enjoy higher numbers of birds but warmer weather too.

We started out our day (12/20/2008) at 8:00 a.m. at Decker Lake. A small natural lake next to I-215, in the middle of  a large group of businesses. The lake has been "beatified" with the addition of grass and a few pine trees. A paved sidewalk  surrounds the lake; giving access to all sides. Today the temperature was 23 F, the sky cloudy, and the lake  surrounded with snow.  We saw 15 species of birds, including: Yellow-headed Black birds, Greater Yellowlegs, and 3 female Hooded Mergansers. 

We then went to the largest lake at Stonebrook golf course. Here I was hoping to see a Merlin that was observed a week earlier. It is also a great place to see a large number of gulls: California and ring-billed. Most memorable, however, was a large flock of Northern Pintails that flew high overhead. Next was Salt Lake community College. Last year, this location, has a hot spot and gave us quite a few species. This year it was a bust with only 11 species; all of which were pretty common. This could be in part to the Coopers Hawk we witnessed being harassed by 5 Magpies.  For next year, I don't think I will plan these last two stops till the end of the day and only if we have time. 

By now it is about 11:00 am and we are ahead of schedule. We decide to stop at Germainia park. One of the many parks along the Jordan River. Here we saw 21 species, including a Great Blue Heron, numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, and 2 Hermit Thrush. It is noon and we stopped for lunch. 

We started birding again at 1:00 p.m. after filling ourselves with coffee and food.  We spent the rest of the day along the Jordan River. Visiting  Holm, Workman, and the Jordan River Park at 4700 S.  Observing 12, 17, and 13 species respectively, including: American Pipet, Bufflehead, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, and an amazing number of Borrow's Goldeneye. We reached the high temperature for the day; 28 F, and the sun sort of peaked out for a few minutes. 

We counted a total of 43 species. A low number compared with the 48 species our section saw last year.   I was a bit bumbed about this till I read the literature surrounding last years count. It was noted that the Midwestern states recorded unusually high numbers of species in 2007. A lot of circles, including the SLC, broke previous records. I can't wait to review the data for 2008. I am curious to see if the large number of Barrows Goldeneyes and Pintails we saw were seen in other areas. Perhaps indicating a trend regarding these species of bird.  

Update: There was a report of a possible Willet at Decker Lake so I went back (12/23/2008). I spent 2 hours there. Walking. Sitting in the snow. No Willet was seen.