The 76th consecutive Elizabethton CBC was held on Saturday, 15 Dec 2018.
Twenty-eight observers in six parties tallied 77 species. This is above the
recent 30-year average of 72 species. The all-time high was set last year
with 85 species.
Two species were found on this CBC for the first time: Osprey and Orange-
crowned Warbler.
One noticeable difference between last year's count and this one was the
number of ducks. Last year we found 13 species, but only 6 occurred this year.
Selected comments on this year's CBC (number in parentheses):
Bald Eagle: (1), has occurred 19 of last 20 years, with few before that.
Red-shouldered Hawk: (1), found only 6 of previous 25 years.
Merlin: (1), only 2 others in previous 25 years.
Am. Kestrel: (16), seems to be fairly steady (25 year average = 13)
Killdeer & Wilson's Snipe: (1 each), these two have a steady decline in recent
years.
Carolina Wren: (139), most ever on this CBC, 25 year average = 82.
Cedar Waxwing (30) & Am. Robin (17): low numbers, apparently a poor wild fruit
crop.
Palm Warbler: (1), has increased in recent years, rarely found in early years.
Chipping Sparrow: (29), found 15 straight years, but only 6 times in first 50
years.
White-throated Sparrow: (70), low numbers over last four years; I wonder why?
E. Meadowlark: (4), has declined in recent years, partly due to less habitat.
blackbirds: hard to find here in winter, often completely missed; this year only
Red-wings (25) were observed.
boreal irruptives: no Purple Finches or Pine Siskins occurred this year &
only 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Misses this year: Ruffed Grouse, Com. Loon, Barred Owl.
Thanks to all observers on this CBC.
Rick Knight, compiler
Johnson City, TN
