The Otter Creek Christmas Bird Count was conducted on December, 29th. With
all the paperwork in, it appears that on this relatively mild, cloudy day,
9 participants located 72 species, with 2 count week birds. Highlights in
the uncommon species arena were the returning 3 Brewer's Blackbirds, 2
Loggerhead Shrikes, 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Savannah
Sparrow, 15 Chipping Sparrows, 754 Sandhill Cranes, 3 Bald Eagle( 2 in
Indiana)and 1 Northern Harrier as those are no longer guaranteed. In
response to I suppose mild temperatures and good berry crops, we had some
good numbers of frugivores this year; 21 Hermit Thrushes, 1375 robins, 227
Cedar Waxwings ( last year we had 2), and....236 Yellow-rumped Warblers, a
count that would have made more sense on the gulf coast. Other birds with
good numbers were 93 Killdeer, 5 Barred Owls, 7 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 5
Winter Wrens( all in Otter Creek), 30 Purple Finches( 11 in Indiana), and
12 Fox Sparrows. Low lights were lack of any waterfowl on count day, no
phoebes, and surprised that no one could pull out a Palm Warbler with as
many as have been around. Count week species were Snow Goose and
Double-crested Cormorant. Thanks for everyone that helped for putting up
with the mild, but at times foggy and windy conditions.
Good Birding in the New Year,
Michael Autin,
Louisville, KY
