Well today certainly ranks as one of the highest species tallies ever on
this small (people-wise) count. There we 17 today which I believe would be
a few above average ( I recently inherited this count from Jim Rogers who
started it about 40 year ago- talk about longevity for CBC compilers!!).
The weather was predicted to be rain and wind after 10AM. Observers were
ready for "pirate" birding weather, but hey, the dark skies at dawn lent to
sunshine and above 50F temps with no rain until 4PM when most were already
headed to the most awesomely, comfortable countdown dinner with the wood
stove fired-up and homemade dinner treats ready for all (thanks everyone-
especially Ann and Tim and Carrie)!
A total of 144 species were observed- the record only being 145 for this
count- we were close! If this tiny count every had 20 participants
including a few more experienced birders and good CBC weather, it might
break 150 one day? The count circle habitat is totally unique- nothing like
it in Oregon. See what I am talking about in the following bird highlights
from today/s CBC:
Unusual bird highlights- in no particular order other than what was
reported to me during our countdown:
Rock Pigeon (!)- hah, funny a rare bird in Port Orford- may it long be rare!
Cedar Waxwing (seen in PO and Langlois- tough on the coast most winters)
a female ROSE-BREASTED-GROSBEAK (probably a first count record, great find
Lars and Courtney) - in Langlois the circle hotspot outside of the private
ranch lands
Clay-colored Sparrow (coming to Jim and Carrie Roger's feeder)
Brant- just one, rare down this far south
SANDHILL CRANE- on a ranch west of Langlois- great find Terry!
Cinnamon Teal (yet another Terry find)
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE- one we have all wondered about but few have seen in
Curry. Only one sighting in Oct. and one in Nov. Today Jim Roger's just
happened to bump into a local rancher whose land is not open to public
access. The bird has been here for months! Was also there today- amazing!
The bird of the count although it is tough to choose between all the great
ones- most out-of-towners would say, yawn ho-hum, south coasters are
thinking bird of their year/decade even!
2- Snow Geese
1- Trumpeter Swan (very rare in Curry)
1- Harris's Sparrow
1- Dusky Fly (we all know about this bird I think...)
2- OC Warblers (use to be rare but have more knowledgeable birders to find
them)
4- Red Phalarope- seen by very experienced sea watchers which actually sat
down on the ocean in front of them. I wonder how many counts in OR will
have this species this year?
-One Selasphorus (Rufous/Allens) female looking sp. in Langlois at a house
with 30+ Anna's at the feeders.
1- Golden Eagle- rare on the ocean plane- seen well by me.
Other regulars:
-Ancient Murrelet in harbor for close up photos! Also Marbled Murrelet
which is actually harder this time of year.
-An Osprey and a Rough-legged Hawk
-5 species of owls- gorgeous full solstice moon up atop Grassy Knob where I
started owning at 0200.
-one Say's Phoebe (two around though)
-The usual Acorn Woodies- two today but I say 4 yesterday
-many Western Bluebirds
-No red crossbills
-one flock of siskins
-four Swamp Sparrow's (weather was crappy as per Sedge Wren site- there
should be double digit numbers at Cape Blanco marsh)
5- Sora (Cape Blanco marsh where there are likely hundreds of rails). Play
a SORA tape this time of year and hear surround sound Sora and tens of
Virginia's in background!! It was blowing 20 mph plus and 30Fs and I still
got 5 Sora around dawn,
3- Merlin seen just by me one of which I saw grab a Anna's hummer out of
mid-air, there were two Anna's up about 20' one second, then only one the
following second!
-Oh, and last but not least, *36 *Palm Warblers- Terry found 33 on his
ranch and a neighbors ranch- he said the largest flock was like 17 Palms!
Merry CBCing!
Tim
