The 62nd consecutive Elizabethton CBC was held on Saturday, Dec. 18th. Twenty-two observers in 5 parties spent 45 party-hours in the field, plus 2.5 hours owling. Temperatures were 20-47 degrees under clear skies, with light winds; 2-3 inches of snow lingered on the higher mountain tops. 71 species were found, plus 1 in count week (Great Horned Owl). This total is right on the average for the last 20 years of 70.75 species. The all-time high on this count is 79 species (in 1995 & 2001). notable sightings: Dbl-cr Cormorant: just 2nd time on this count (other in 1976). Bald Eagle: 6th consecutive year, with just 3 prior to that (1988, 1994, & 1996). Am. Woodcock: just 3rd time on this count (1986 & 1991). Bonaparte's Gull: found on 5 of last 6 counts, with only 2 prior to that (1973 & 1995). Selasphorus sp.: presumably a Rufous Hummingbird, present for 3rd consecutive year at feeder; 2nd year on CBC. Red-breasted Nuthatch: nearly annual here in mountains (16 of last 20 years), but always a delight. Chipping Sparrow: just 11th time on this CBC, but 7 times in last 20 years. Fox Sparrow: 13th time in last 20 years, formerly more regular. Purple Finch: found only 4 of last 13 years, annual prior to that. Pine Siskin: found 12 of last 20 years, but no big numbers since 1987 & 1989. Big misses this year: Ring-necked Duck: just 2nd miss since 1956. Ruffed Grouse: 6th miss since 1977. Wilson's Snipe: missed 3rd year in row & 5 of last 7 (annual previously). Great Horned Owl: only 5th miss since 1982. Cedar Waxwing: 1st miss since 1989, only missed 5 of last 30 years. blackbirds: Red-wings, Rusties, Grackles, & Cowbirds are usually scarce in the mountains in winter; none occurred on this year's count. nearly extirpated from count area: N. Bobwhite: none since 1994. Loggerhead Shrike: only twice in last 14 years. ################### Rick Knight Johnson City, TN rknight@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ************************************************* BRISTOL BIRDS NET LIST Bristol Birds Net Photo Gallery located at: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jwcoffeyy/album?.dir=/efd5 This is a regional birding list sponsored by the Bristol Bird Club to facilitate communications between birders and bird clubs of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. -------------------------------------------------- You are subscribed to Bristol-Birds. To post to this mailing list, simply send an email to: bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send an email to bristol-birds-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the one word 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. -------------------------------------------------- Wallace Coffey, Moderator wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (423)764-****