Greetings, All,
On New Year’s Day, 10 volunteers enjoyed a spectacular “bluebird” day in
the Cascades for the 20th annual Santiam Pass Christmas Bird Count. We
didn’t find any new birds for the count and didn’t have any big misses, but
we had a few numbers worth noting.
Most of our regular diving ducks showed in numbers well above average, the
most notable being RING-NECKED DUCK (63 tallied, avg. of 10 on only 9 prior
counts) and COMMON GOLDENEYE (36, avg. 9, 18 priors). Surprisingly, we were
way below average on mergansers and coots, completely missing HOODED
MERGANSER (avg. 4, 15 prior counts) and AMERICAN COOT (avg. 50, 16 priors).
Dabbler numbers are typically fairly low in the circle, but 3 AMERICAN
WIGEON added the species for only the 5th time in 20 years.
We found low numbers of most resident forest passerines, which is typical
for a relatively big snow year, limiting access to roads and trails. Most
JAYS, CHICKADEES, RB NUHATCHES, and FINCHES all came in at <50% of average.
We got skunked on RED CROSSBILL (avg. 25, 13 prior counts) and PINE SISKIN
(avg. 37, 9 priors). Exceptions included PYGMY NUTHATCH (2), for only the 8
th out of 20 counts.
Last—but certainly not least—our woodpecker numbers came in right about
average, with highlights being RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER (1) for only the 7th
time in 20 counts and WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER (2) for only the 8th time in
20.
Our final tally of 31 species was just above the avg. of 27, with overall
numbers reflecting limited access to the circle, at 371 against an avg. of
525.
Thanks to all the volunteers (Judy Meredith, Diane Burgess, Karen Clarke,
Jake Schas, Ken Hashagen, David Braunschweiger, and 3 generations of
Jaussis) for joining me on my LAST YEAR as compiler! If anyone is
interested in taking on Santiam Pass starting next CBC season, get in
touch, and I will send you all pertinent maps and data sheets for the last
15 years.
Happy New Year!
Steve Shunk
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Stephen Shunk, Paradise Birding
P.O. Box 547 Sisters, OR 97759
541-408-1753
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