Yesterday, 12/26/20, the Otter Creek CBC was conducted. 7 participants in
6 parties, braved, not the snowiest, but certainly one of the coldest
counts in recent memory, starting out at 15 degrees and maybe getting into
the low 40's, with an occasionally light wind and no discernible
precipitation. I believe we ended up with 74 species, and 3 count week
species, with the biggest highlight on the count that almost never was
being 5 reported shrikes, probably representing at least 4 individuals
based on time and location. Other highlights were American Black Duck,
Eurasian Collared-Doves, a single American Coot, I think 6 Red-headed
Woodpeckers, a decent showing of phoebes, Brown Thrashers, I feel a good
number of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Brewer's Blackbirds, 2 Palm Warblers,
all the expected sparrows. Misses were some common waterfowl ( often
missed on this count), House Wren, which it should have been a good year
for, Pine Warbler, siskin, a few blackbird species, and no owls detected.
Thank you to Brainard Palmer-Ball, James Wheat, Barbara Woerner, Meg and
Steve Brown, and Asher Higgins who came all the way from Somerset to help
us out; a truly collaborative effort. You made this a success.
Good Birding,
Michael Autin, Louisville, KY
