[TN-Bird] Elizabethton CBC summary

The 65th consecutive Elizabethton CBC was held on 15 Dec  by members & friends 
of
the Herndon chapter of TOS.  There were 22 observers in 5 parties.  The day was 
cool, 
cloudy, & windy.
65 species were observed, which is below the average of 70.4 species over the 
last 30
years.  Six additional species were found during count week (3 days before or 
after count day).
Most participants described it as a slow day.  Not only was the species total 
low, but many
species occurred in lower than average numbers.

Highlights:
Rufous Hummingbird - 1  (5th year in a row, at third different site)
Redhead - 1  (first on this count since 1978)
Chipping Sparrow - 1

Boreal irruptives:
This fall gave indications of a good flight of these northern invaders, but 
numbers were low
on this CBC - just 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches & 1 Pine Siskin.  Purple Finch 
occurred in
count week only.  No other boreal irruptives were found.

Frugivores, particularly robins (3) & waxwings (7), were in low numbers, 
probably due to
the impact on fruiting trees by the double whammy of the Easter freeze & the 
prolonged drought.

Notable misses:
Am. Black Duck  
Lesser Scaup
Ruffed Grouse
Com. Loon
Black Vulture
Bald Eagle
Wilson's Snipe
Brown Creeper

N. Bobwhite & Loggerhead Shrike have become so scarce within this count circle 
as to be
noteworthy when they are found, not when they're missed.  Neither was found 
this day.

Not all was gloomy, however.  Good numbers were found for:
Wild Turkey - 32
Great Blue Heron - 26
E. Phoebe - 13
(all above recent averages)

Rick Knight, compiler
Johnson City, TN

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