Plainfield Christmas Bird Count Results

Birders warming up at the annual
compilation dinner potluck.

The 53^rd 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