Hello OBOL,
Here are the preliminary results for the 98th annual Portland CBC. We held
the event today, December 30, under sometimes dreary conditions.
Nonetheless, a hardy group of field observers--over 240 of them--tallied
118 species, and more may emerge as the mountain of feeder watcher forms is
incorporated into the data set. Heartfelt thank yous to the always
talented and hard-working Area Leaders: Brodie Cass Talbott, Joe Liebezeit,
Lynn Herring, Lori Hennings and Colleen McDaniel. These folks donate
countless hours organizing the field teams, leading their own sectors and
compiling the data into a useable tally.
While the species total was on the low end for the Portland count (below
the 10 year average of 122), some stellar birds emerged. This year's
coveted “eagle eye” award goes to Ryan Gilpin, who found a Hermit Warbler
near the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Portland.
Congratulations, Ryan! Other excellent birds on this year's count included
a Gray Catbird in the Beaverton area, plus a Western Tanager and an amazing
9 Barn Swallows in the North/Northeast area.
We picked up three loon species, four grebe species, and the sometimes
confounding Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Shrike, among several uncommon
birds for this count circle. On the flip side, for the second year
running, we dipped on Greater White-fronted Goose and Cinnamon Teal.
Thanks to everyone who participated, in the field or at your feeder. Good
birding, y'all, and have a wonderful start to the new year!
Cheers, Candace Larson
(Portland CBC Compiler)
