Missbirders,
Almost two weeks into 2017, here is a quick look at the birding scene in MS
as captured by eBird.
As of Thursday, 461 checklists had been submitted accounting for 189
species in 2017 (neighboring states: LA = 881/245; AL= 751/194). Those
checklists cover just 36 of the 82 counties in the state (44%), and nearly
two thirds of the checklists (301) so far were submitted from only five
counties (Jackson, Harrison, Desoto, Hancock, Panola), but not too
surprising for so early in the year.
TOTAL COUNTY TICKS
Total county ticks is a little bit of eBird jargon, but it is simply the
sum of the number of species reported for each county over the entire
state. So, for example, if one species had been reported in each county,
the total county ticks would be 82. You can track your own ticks, but here
I am using the terminology with regard to the efforts all birders across
the state. Below I list the total ticks both for 2017 and All Time as well
as the average per county (total ticks divided by 82 for MS) which gives an
average diversity documented per county.
*Total county ticks 2017 *(avg per county): 1,519 (18.5)
Neighbors: LA =2,829 (44.2); AL=2,167 (32.3)
*Total county ticks All Time* (avg per county): 13,355 (163)
Neighbors: LA=15,782 (247); AL=12533 (187)
You'll note that our total ticks All Time are fairly high, but that's
basically because we have 30% more counties than either Alabama (67) or
Louisiana (64, ahem, parishes). So, ticks per county in MS are pretty low
both for 2017 and All Time. On average only about 19 species have been
reported per county this year.
Bottom line: Much of MS is under-birded, even relative to neighboring
states.
There are 46 counties with zero checklists submitted. I wonder if we can
get checklists from every county this year?
LEADING eBIRDERS:
by checklists: Brian Johnston (42)
by species: June Ladner (121)
FLAGGED or RARE SPECIES reported:
[Note: If you find an uncommon or rare bird, eBird is no substitute for
reporting to the Mississippi Bird Records Committee (MBRC). If you are
unsure how to report a rare bird, send me an email or contact a member of
the MBRC.]
Cackling Goose (Madison Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33514379
American Black Duck (Desoto Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33539615
Eared Grebe (Jackson Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33396389
Magnificent Frigatebird (Jackson Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33305946
Green Heron (Harrison Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33579762
Black-crowned Night-heron (Noxubee Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33584706
Roseate Spoonbill (Jackson, Co) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33620284
**Golden Eagle (Panola Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33305946
**California Gull (Yalobusha Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33365352
White-winged Dove (Tate Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33524326
Vermilion Flycatcher (Jackson Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33444766
**Tropical Kingbird (Hancock Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33589312
**Couch's Kingbird (Leflore Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33499536
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Lee Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33501573
Sprague's Pipit (Panola Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33531576
Palm Warbler (Panola Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33468753
Nelson's Sparrow (Noxubee Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33550900
Lincoln's Sparrow (Marshall Co.) -
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S33540707
Not sure about eBird? Check out 10 reasons to use eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/australia/news/10-reasons-to-love-ebird/
Good birding this weekend,
JR
