The worst driving conditions in a long time greeted the 117 dedicated
birders for the 74th Eugene CBC on January 3, 2016. However, most birders
assigned to the 27 teams did make it to their areas and at the end of the
day reported 130 species. Two more species were added during CW,
Short-eared Owl and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 130 species is about 3 below
the ten year average. 113,519 individual birds were recorded which is about
20,000 over our ten year average, but lower than the past two years.
The 117 birders in the field was much lower than the past ten years average
and 33 fewer than last year. However, some of those birders who could not
get out of their driveways or up or down steep hills because of the ice and
snow decided to be Home Counters instead. The Home Counters numbered 108
for an all-time high mostly thanks to Herb Wisner and his dedicated
recruitment before the Count and the few last minute field counters who
stayed home and reported birds in their yards.
The free home-made vegetarian Chili Feed after the Count was attended by 65
birders. That was down from the usual attendance of 100, again due to the
lousy driving conditions and people wanting to get home before dark.
Allison Mickel made the nine gallons of chili for the 10th consecutive year,
and it is delicious.
Dan Gleason does the compiling and he reported record high numbers for three
species: Wild Turkey, Eurasian Collared-Dove and Anna's Hummingbird. Even
with the cold weather, only 9 species were recorded in much lower numbers
than normal and 26 species were found in much higher numbers than average.
Shorebirds accounted for many of the species with lower numbers. The Home
Counters accounted for the majority of the Anna's Hummingbirds and one
unusual report (with photos) of a Harris's Sparrow.
All the results will be on the Lane County Audubon Society website soon.
Dick Lamster
Eugene CBC Coordinator
