[TN-Bird] highlights of Elizabethton & Roan Mtn CBCs

  • From: "Richard Knight" <rknight8@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "tn-bird" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:43:11 -0500

The 69th consecutive Elizabethton CBC was held on 17 Dec, with 27 observers
in 6 parties.  Weather was a factor in the morning, as drizzle changing over to
snow flurries fell all morning.  Fog & wind were localized factors, too.

70 species, plus 2 in count week, were found.  This is right at the 30-year 
average
of 71 species.  The all-time high is 79, achieved 3 times including last year.

highlights & analysis:
Am. Black Duck - 2  - - has declined, found on just 11 of last 20 CBCs.
Blue-winged Teal - 3  - -  second record on this CBC.
Com. Goldeneye - count week  - - last recorded on CBC in 1987.
Ruffed Grouse - 2.
D-c. Cormorant - 1  - - only 4th in last 20 years (simply scarce in mtns.).
Bald Eagle - 5  - - increasing, found 12 of last 13 years, number ties previous 
high.
N. Harrier - 1  - - 3rd year in a row, but just 6th in last 30 years.
Red-tailed Hawk - 23  - - new high for this CBC.
Am. Kestrel - 8  - - declining, 25-year average = 14.
Killdeer - 9  - -  declining, average for last decade = 7, 
          compared to averages of 38 & 33 for previous two decades.
Wilson's Snipe - 1  - - also declining, only found 6 of last 14 years on CBC,
           compared to annual occurrence & average of 7 per CBC over previous 
20 years.
Com. Raven - 10  - - good number, gradual increase in last 25 years.
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1  - - obviously an off year for them.
Golden-cr. Kinglet - 20  - - recent decline from 20-year average of 36.
E. Bluebird - 185  - - good numbers in last 20-30 years.
Chipping Sparrow - 39  - - all-time high, found 8 consecutive years, 12 of last 
20 years.
Red-wg. Blackbird - 24  - - found 7 of last 20 years, all blackbirds vacate mtn 
region in winter.
Purple Finch - none  - - found just 7 of last 20 years, while annual in 1960s, 
70s, & 80s.
Pine Siskin - none.

####################

The 59th Roan Mtn CBC was held on 18 Dec, with 7 observers in 2 parties.
49 species were found, slightly above the 30-year average of 44 species.  The
all-time is 55 recorded in 1987.

highlights & analysis:
Am. Black Duck - 9  - -  generally the most common duck on very limited amount 
of water.
Ruffed Grouse - 2.
Golden Eagle - 2 (1 ad. & 1 im.) - - found 2nd consecutive year, perhaps 
wintering in vicinity?
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1  - - found only 15 of last 25 years, scarce in 
higher elevations.
Com. Raven - 31  - - regular, but 2nd highest count on CBC  (33 in 1992).
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 27  - -  good number, local breeder.
Ruby-cr. Kinglet - 1  - -  only 8th record on CBC.
Dark-eyed Junco - 210  - -  most since 1998.
Purple Finch - 1  - -  found 3 of last 12 years.
Red Crossbill - 9  - -  found 11 of last 24 years.
Pine Siskin - 170  - -  most since 1991, local breeder

###############################################

Rick Knight
Johnson City, TN
  

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