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