Birders warming up at the annual compilation dinner potluck. |
The 53rd Plainfield Christmas Bird Count took
place under cold conditions on Saturday, December 14, with lows of -11 F in
colder spots and highs in the single digits.
Our total of 41 species (plus one count week) is slightly above the
10-year average of 38.8. Highlights this
year included a Hermit Thrush along
the Stevens Branch of the Winooski River in Barre, only the second time recorded in the count. A Belted
Kingfisher in Lanesboro was also a big surprise, where open water was
scarce.
As with the other counts this year, winter finches were
completely absent, but we did manage to set record highs for Red-tailed Hawk (5), Hairy Woodpecker (69), American Robin (31), and Northern Cardinal (49). Some other highlights included American Black Duck (our first since
2008), 2 Northern Goshawks, an adult
Bald Eagle in Marshfield, White-throated Sparrows in 2 different
territories, and a pair of Song Sparrows
in Barre (our first since 2008).
Thanks to the 34+ participants who braved the cold. A full list of species is included below:
The only Snowy Owl seen during the count was Ken's meatloaf! |
Canada Goose | cw |
American Black Duck | 2 |
Mallard | 6 |
Common Merganser | 4 |
Ruffed Grouse | 4 |
Wild Turkey | 147 |
Bald Eagle | 1 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 |
Cooper's Hawk | 1 |
Northern Goshawk | 2 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 5 |
Rock Pigeon | 364 |
Mourning Dove | 364 |
Barred Owl | 3 |
Belted Kingfisher | 1 |
Downy Woodpecker | 49 |
Hairy Woodpecker | 69 |
Pileated Woodpecker | 11 |
Blue Jay | 403 |
American Crow | 313 |
Common Raven | 29 |
Black-capped Chickadee | 1318 |
Tufted Titmouse | 7 |
Red-breasted Nuthatch | 42 |
White-breasted Nuthatch | 50 |
Brown Creeper | 3 |
Hermit Thrush | 1 |
Golden-crowned Kinglet | 19 |
American Robin | 31 |
European Starling | 76 |
Cedar Waxwing | 86 |
American Tree Sparrow | 52 |
Song Sparrow | 2 |
White-throated Sparrow | 3 |
Dark-eyed Junco | 68 |
Northern Cardinal | 49 |
Brown-headed Cowbird | 13 |
House Finch | 10 |
Purple Finch | 1 |
American Goldfinch | 425 |
Evening Grosbeak | 8 |
House Sparrow | 23 |
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