Plainfield Christmas Bird Count Results

Long-eared Owl, a Plainfield CBC first!

The 54^th annual Plainfield Christmas Bird Count took place under clear skies this past Saturday, December 20. It was the first sunny day in a long time, and despite single-digit temperatures at the start, the calm conditions made for a superb day to be outside, enjoying nature, and counting birds. A near-record 45 participants combed out across the count circle tallying 4,962 individuals of 43 species, exceeding our 10-year average of 38.7 species.

The highlight of this year’s count was a LONG-EARED OWL first discovered by Chip Darmstadt as it soaked in the late-afternoon sun. By incredible coincidence, what has been presumed to be the same bird was later independently discovered by Eric Cannizzaro as it was hunting over a field in near-darkness. This unexpected find was a first for the Plainfield count, and with reports from a nearby landowner that this rare and sensitive species has nested here in the past, its location will be kept secret. Another first for the Plainfield CBC was a lone SNOW GOOSE seen flying south.

The increase in ‘southern’ species continues to be a trend this year, with the count’s second ever sighting of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Carolina Wren was observed for only the 4^th time, with a record high of 3 individuals observed (all at feeders). Northern Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse, which have seen large increases in the past decade, were seen in decent numbers, with 41 and 17 respectively.

Pine Siskin in Calais

A new high count was set for Carolina Wren (3), Downy Woodpecker (73), and White-breasted Nuthatch (132), which nearly doubled its previous high count. Both White-throated and Song Sparrow were observed on the count his year. These species, while never common, are becoming a regular feature of the Plainfield count. Irruptive species have not been plentiful this year, but a few Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins were observed (the siskins being our first since 2011).

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s count. Special thanks go out to Janet Steward, who has covered the Orange territory for as long as we can remember, and celebrated her 50^th consecutive year of CBC participation this year! A complete species list can be found below and a summary of all species seen over the 54-year history of this count can be found here. The 55^th Plainfield Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 2015. We hope you can join us!

Compiler Larry Clarfeld presents
Janet Steward with a cake in recognition
of her 50th consecutive year of CBC'ing

Snow Goose	1
Canada Goose	1
Mallard	22
Hooded Merganser	2
Common Merganser	5
Ruffed Grouse	1
Wild Turkey	206
Cooper's Hawk	1
Northern Goshawk	1
Red-tailed Hawk	3
Rock Pigeon	367
Mourning Dove	187
Long-eared Owl	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	73
Hairy Woodpecker	63
Pileated Woodpecker	7
Northern Shrike	3
Blue Jay	191
American Crow	525
Common Raven	47
Black-capped Chickadee	1554
Tufted Titmouse	17
Red-breasted Nuthatch	51
White-breasted Nuthatch	132
Brown Creeper	12
Carolina Wren	3
Golden-crowned Kinglet	9
American Robin	10
European Starling	788
Cedar Waxwing	5
American Tree Sparrow	38
White-throated Sparrow	2
Dark-eyed Junco	31
Northern Cardinal	41
Song Sparrow	1
Purple Finch	2
House Finch	38
Common Redpoll	3
Pine Siskin	4
American Goldfinch	65
Evening Grosbeak	20
House Sparrow	158