The Bristol (TN/VA) Christmas Bird Count set a new region record with 91
species. The count was held Sunday, Dec. 26. The previous region record was
89 speices at Bristol in 1998. The count was first held in 1931.
Approximately 22 birders participated in 6 parties.
Three additional species were recorded during the count week but are not in the
count total (White-winged Scoter, Merlin, Common Grackle). Also observed on
count day were 2 Black Duck X Mallard hybrids and a Mute Swan, none of which
are included in the count totals.
The 91 species compares to an average of 81.5 species per year for the previous
10 years and 75.95 for the previous 20 years.
A Cackling Goose is the first for the count, bringing the all-time total
species for the count to 145.
A dozen species were above record high numbers:
Eared Grebe 8 (former high 6 in 1996. It was the 8th year for the species on
the count since 1996. This was the 6th year out of the past 9 years for the
grebe.);
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 (third consecutive year -- all in Virginia portion
of count);
Ring-necked Duck 132 (found 24 of last 25 years).
Hooded Merganser 308 (10 year avg. = 166.3, 20 year avg. = 111.25)
Ring-billed Gull 1,341 (more than 1,000 birds over both 10 yr. and 20 yr.
averages)
Rock Pigeon 634
Belted Kingfisher 74 (14 above 10 year average)
Carolina Wren 154
Northern Mockingbird 190
Brown Thrasher 4
Northern Cardinal 282
Chipping Sparrow 15
Four species equaled record high numbers for individuals:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Red-headed Woodpecker 4
Pine Warbler 1
White-throated Sparrow 272
Of special note:
Canada Goose (837) were twice the 20 year average and 225 over the 10 year
average.
Mallard (542) were about one-third their 10 year average and equal to 20 year
average.
American Wigeon were down 37% from 10 year average and 6 birds below 20 year
average.
American Robins (low at 34) 112 below 10 year average. It has appeared on the
count every year since 1966.
House Finch (74) continued a 10-year decline since peaking at 645 in 1994.
House Sparrow (22) continued steady downward trend which began in 1960
following record year of 627 in 1959.
Other spieces of interest:
Northern Pintail 2
Canvasback 1
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 3
Common Goldeneye 3
Bufflehead 165
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 1
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Eastern Screech Owl 20
Great Horned Owl 16
Barred Owl 1
Common Raven 14
Red-breasted Nuthatch 14
Winter Wren 8
American Pipit 3
Cedar Waxwing 6 (low)
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Pine Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Rusty Blackbird 10
Purple Finch 7
These are unofficial totals until count compiler Richard Lewis releases the
final report.
Lewis compiles the count for his 24th straight year. Wallace Coffey was in his
count sector for his 46th consecutive year.
Let's go birding....
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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