The Great Smoky Mountains CBC was held on Saturday December 17 with 23
participants in 10 groups. Five were new participants thanks to Park Ranger
Julianne Geleseyne. Much of our count circle was impacted by the Chimney Tops
2 Fire and a number of areas normally covered were closed. Weather was cool
with morning rain and winds between 20-30 mph in the higher elevations. A
total of 63 species were found including two new to the count, a Merlin and
three Sandhill cranes, and a new high of 4 Black-crowned night-herons all in
Pigeon Forge. Notable misses were Pine siskin, Red-breasted nuthatch,
Meadowlark, and blackbirds other than Brown-headed cowbird. In areas within the
fire perimeter both species and numbers were significantly lower than in
previous years.
Warren Bielenberg
Maryville
