Christmas Bird Count

Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Registration for the 2024 Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be open on November 4! The CBC is the world’s largest and longest-running community science data collection project. The 2024-2025 count period from December 14 to January 5 marks the 125th CBC sponsored by the National Audubon Society. It will be Eastside Audubon’s 41st CBC.

We are recruiting volunteers to join CBC teams or for feeder-watching at home. Go to the CBC page become a feeder watcher, join a field team, and attend the CBC dinner. We will have 15 field teams this year.

JOIN THE COUNT FOR FUN AND SCIENCE

Eastside Audubon’s CBC Count Circle. 25-mile diameter centered on Beaver Lake in Sammamish.

The EAS CBC is an all-volunteer project, and we have three ways for you to participate.

• Our chapter has 15 teams being led by experienced birders who are accepting 3-5 volunteer participants.

• We also support at-home feeder watchers who count birds at their home feeder or other location within the 25-mile diameter circle centered on Beaver Lake in Sammamish.

  • View our CBC Count Circle here and see if your address falls inside the circle (top left for search field).

• Everyone, whether birding or not, is invited to join the CBC dinner after the count.

REGISTER ONLINE

Whether you participate by joining a field team, watching your feeder at home, or sharing in the experience of the day at the dinner, you can register for the event you want to join at the CBC page. Registration closes on December 10th. If you are interested after that date, please email Andy McCormick at amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org as we may still be able to get you on a team.

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Written by Andy McCormick

What good fortune we had on December 16 for the EAS 40th annual Christmas Bird Count! We Welcomed the moderate temperature and clear skies after last year’s freezing temperatures and the all-day rain, the year before. The birds were active and early returns show that we had exciting finds of Greater White-fronted Geese at Idlewood Park, a Redhead on Lake Sammamish, a Ruddy Duck at Lake Hills, and 40 Wilson’s Snipe at Perego Park. Other notable birds seen were Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and a Red-necked Grebe.

The chapter fielded 15 teams with 51 volunteers counting birds and feeder watchers added to the count. We also had six more volunteers who prepared, set up, and hosted the CBC dinner at the Kirkland Women’s Center. Nearly 40 people attended the dinner, which was the first one held since the pandemic. It was wonderful to see folks in person and get re-acquainted with other chapter members and guests.

A full report of the CBC including totals for all the bird species seen will be ready around early February when data is due for delivery to National Audubon. This was the 124th count that National Audubon has sponsored since its founding in 1900. The fifteen EAS teams went to the Snoqualmie Valley, Fall City and Preston, Redmond and Ames Lake, Marymoor Park, Sammamish and Pine Lake, Lake Sammamish State Park, the East Lake Sammamish Trail, West Lake Sammamish Parks, the Lake Hills Greenbelt, along Issaquah Creek and into the Issaquah Alps at Tiger and Cougar Mountains, and the Issaquah Fish Hatchery.

Mark your calendar for 2024. The EAS CBC is scheduled for Saturday, December 21, 2024.

Participate in the Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Participate in the Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count from Home on December 16

Eastside Audubon invites its members to join the Christmas Bird Count from their homes this year through the Feeder Watch program. Bird enthusiasts of all levels are encouraged to observe birds from their home feeders or backyards during the December 16 event. This activity contributes to the nation’s largest and longest-running community science data collection project.

Participants should monitor their feeder or backyard for two hours and record their observations. "Mornings are usually the best time for birdwatching,” says Eastside Audubon compiler Andy McCormick. “We don’t expect the person to be there every minute.”

A list of common birds will be provided, and birders are advised to use eBird.org to identify difficult species.

Participants should submit their reports online. They are also invited to join an online Zoom gathering at 6 p.m. on the event day to share their observations with fellow participants.

Anyone who doesn’t live within Eastside Audubon’s coverage area is encouraged to join one of the 15 Field Teams that will identify and tally birds within assigned areas on December 16. Learn more about the Field Teams.

CBC Feederwatch count circle. The shaded area is the Eastside Audubon’s designated area for the Christmas Bird Count.

Join the 2023 Christmas Bird Count

Join the Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 16

Written by Andy McCormick

Registration for the 2023 Eastside Audubon CBC will be open on November 10 and there are openings for volunteers to join some CBC teams or to participate in feeder watching on Count Day. Go here to become a feeder watcher, join a field team, and join the Zoom celebration. We will have 15 field teams this year.

JOIN THE COUNT FOR FUN AND SCIENCE

The EAS CBC is an all-volunteer project, and we have three ways for you to participate. Our chapter has 15 field teams being led by experienced birders who are accepting 3-5 volunteer participants. We also support at-home feeder watchers who count birds at their home feeder or other locations within the 25-mile diameter circle centered on Beaver Lake in Sammamish. Everyone, whether birding or not,  is invited to join the Zoom celebration after the count.

BE PART OF COLLECTING DATA FOR RESEARCH AND HAVE FUN DOING IT

The CBC is the world’s largest and longest-running community science data collection project. The 2023-2024 count period from December 14 to January 5 marks the 124rd CBC sponsored by the National Audubon Society. It will be Eastside Audubon’s 40th CBC.

Whether you participate by joining a field team, watching your feeder at home, or sharing in the experience of the day via Zoom, you can register for the event you want to join on November 10. Registration closes on December 9.

Register for the Christmas Bird Count

Register for the Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 17

Written by Andy McCormick

Registration for the 2022 Eastside Audubon CBC is open and there are still openings for volunteers to join on some CBC teams and feeder watching. Go to https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/christmas-bird-count to become a feeder watcher, join a field team, and join the Zoom celebration. We will have 15 field teams this year. 

ACCEPTING VOLUNTEERS AGAIN

For the past two years under COVID-19 pandemic conditions, Eastside Audubon has conducted the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) with very small teams of one or two people. We were able to maintain continuity in our data collection, which was important, but we missed having full teams in the field. Now, we are resuming having more volunteers join birding teams for this year’s Christmas Bird Count Day on Saturday, December 17.

The CBC is the world’s largest and longest-running community science data collection project. The 2022-2023 count period from December 14 to January 5 marks the 123rd CBC sponsored by the National Audubon Society. It will be Eastside Audubon’s 39th CBC. 

JOIN THE COUNT FOR FUN AND SCIENCE

The EAS CBC is an all-volunteer endeavor and we have three ways for you to participate. Our chapter has 15 teams being led by experienced birders who are accepting 3-5 volunteer participants. We also support at-home feeder watchers who count birds at their home feeder or other location within the 25-mile diameter circle centered on Beaver Lake in Sammamish. Everyone, whether birding or not,  is invited to join the Zoom celebration after the count. 

FOLLOWING COVID-19 PROTOCOL

Eastside Audubon wants to have more people involved in the CBC, but we also want to be careful to protect everyone from possible spikes in COVID-19 and flu infections. We will keep the field teams to 4-6 participants, and we will require wearing of masks while driving in a car for vaccinated people. We are going to postpone the after-count dinner for one more year and will host a Zoom celebration online.  

Whether you participate by joining a field team, watching your feeder at home, or sharing in the experience of the day via Zoom, you can register for the event you want to join here. Registration closes on Dec. 10. 

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2021

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count, 18 December 2021

Written by Andy McCormick, CBC Compiler

2021-2022 Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count Summary
18 December 2021

National Audubon Count 122
Eastside Audubon Count 38

100 species tallied (count day + count week)
Count day: 88 species
Count week: 12 additional species 
Individual birds: 17,675
Observers: 41 (37 in the field + 4 feeder watchers)

Overview

The 38th Eastside Audubon CBC was held on December 18, 2021, a day marked by continuous rainfall.  The species count of 88 on count day was the lowest since 86 species were recorded in 2005. In recent years a greater effort has been directed to locating bird species during count week to complement count day totals. This year observers found 12 additional species to bring the count total to an even 100 bird species. 

Again, this year the count was conducted in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic under restrictions specified in Washington State and King County guidelines for vaccination, mask wearing and social distancing. We kept the teams small with a leader and one or two other people. EAS fielded 37 observers covering 15 teams. Five of the 15 circle sections were counted by one person and eight were counted by two persons. Two teams had three members and one had five.

Data Assessment

Variability in count numbers from year to year can be a challenge to interpret. Differences in weather conditions, changes in effort due to the number and skill level of volunteers on field teams, and changes in habitat due to natural causes (e.g., fire) or human development may all contribute to changes in bird species count totals. The CBC uses the 10-year average as one yardstick to provide some context for a particular year’s count totals. The numbers in parentheses following the name of a bird in this report are the total number seen in this year’s CBC, and the percentage as a ratio of the species count to the species’ 10-year average (e.g., a percentage of 150% indicates an increase of one and a half times the current 10-year average and 70% indicates 70% of the 10-year average.). 

Highlights

A flock of 22 Common Redpolls was reported from Marymoor Park marking the first time this species was recorded on the Eastside Audubon CBC. 

California Scrub-Jay was seen for the third time in the past 20 years. Previous records were in 2013 and 2018.

It is always a pleasure to see an American Kestrel (14, 280%) and they were abundant in the Snoqualmie Valley at nearly three times their 10-year average. Three Merlins and two Peregrine Falcons were also counted bringing the total count to 19 falcons.

Trends

Ducks and Geese

We were pleased to see a rebound in numbers for Northern Shoveler (51, 200%) at twice their 10-year average, Green-winged Teal (79, 83%) slightly below their 10-year average, and American Wigeon (349, 92%) at close to their 10-year average. Hooded Mergansers were steady at 41 (66%) and Common Mergansers (74, 89%) were at numbers similar to last year. Wood Duck (25, 114%) did well and Ruddy Duck (16, 64%) were below average.

Again, this year we requested drone flights in the fields at Carnation Farm to be stopped for the week prior to and including count day. Cacking Goose (8,274, 145%) and Canada Goose (925, 69%) were in good numbers again. Snow Geese at 52 was an unusually large count. Eurasian Wigeon and Canvasback were added in count week. 

Grebes, Pigeons, Hummingbirds, Coots and Rails

Pied-billed Grebes (101, 136%) were seen in many locations amassing the highest total in the past 20 years. However, Western Grebes (9, 20%) were almost missed this year. Red-necked Grebe was added in count week. A pair of Band-tailed Pigeons was seen on count day. Anna’s Hummingbirds (89, 116%) continued an above-average showing but still down from the 2018 total of 133. Five Virginia Rails matched their 10-year average and American Coot  (533, 118%) continued a nice three-year above average run.

Gulls, Cormorants, and Herons

The count of 85 (15%) for Short-billed Gulls was a far cry from the 984 of last year. It is possible more gulls were on Lake Sammamish but unseen because of rain and fog. There were very few gulls at Sunset Beach in Lake Sammamish State Park. Most of the 216 (140%) Glaucous-winged Gulls were in the Snoqualmie Valley near Carnation. Double-crested Cormorants (103, 71%) continued their decline in our circle. Great Blue Herons (39, 83%) had another low count this year. Green Heron eluded us this year.

Shorebirds

Killdeer (13, 28%) were well below average numbers, but Wilson’s Snipe (4, 100%) seen at Marymoor Park were on target. Spotted Sandpiper seen again along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish was added in count week. 

Raptors and Owls

Bald Eagles (46, 115%) bumped up above average, but  Red-tailed Hawks (26, 68%) declined to the lowest count in over 20 years. This is after a high count of 54 in 2019. Five Northern Harriers were a relief after nine years of very low counts since six were seen in 2012. Six Cooper’s Hawks met the mean, and the only Sharp-shinned Hawk was a count week bird. Early morning rain hampered the count of owls, but a Barn Owl and two Barred Owls were found on count day and Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw Whet Owl were seen in count week.

Woodpeckers, Kingfisher, and Shrike

Northern Flickers (62, 68%) fell again against their average. Downy (18, 72%) and Hairy (7, 64%) Woodpeckers were both below their 10-year averages, and Pileated Woodpecker (1, 14%) was nearly missed. Red-breasted Sapsuckers (2, 25%) continued with decreasing numbers. Belted Kingfisher (5, 50%) was difficult to find. Northern Shrike was seen in count week. 

Corvids

Common Ravens (21, 111%) are now averaging 20 per count, and American Crows (965, 104%) are now averaging over 900 per count. Steller’s Jays (55, 50%) dropped again for the fourth consecutive year since a high count of 128 in 2017. We were unable to hike Tiger Mountain to look for Canada Jays this year.

Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Creepers

Black-capped (175, 54%) and Chestnut-backed Chickadees (91, 61%), and Bushtits (85, 56%) were all well below average numbers. Red-breasted Nuthatches (16, 62%) dropped even below the ten-year average of 26 from a high of 66 during last year’s irruption. However,  Brown Creepers (40, 174%) broke this pattern with large gains this year.  

Thrushes

Varied Thrushes (16, 40%) were seen in below average numbers. American Robins (382, 69%) continued with a second consecutive low count in the past 10 years and far below the high of 722 in 2017. A Hermit Thrush was seen in count week. 

Finches

There was little evidence in our count of a finch irruption to mirror last year’s high numbers of finches although a small wave in the winter after a major irruption is possible as winter continues. Pine Siskins (147, 19%) dropped to the lowest count since 2013. House Finch (75, 59%) which is not an irruptive species, tallied the lowest count in the past 20 years. One Purple Finch (1, 3%) was recorded on this year’s count. American Goldfinch (8, 19%) for the second year in a row posted in single digits. No crossbills or Evening Grosbeaks made the count this year. 

Sparrows

Many sparrow species were counted in average numbers. Song Sparrows (171, 78%) were well represented and Golden-crowned Sparrows (109, 102%) were in good shape. Dark-eyed Juncos (721, 96%) produced excellent numbers, and Fox Sparrows (39, 83%) rebounded nicely. White-crowned Sparrows (15, 43%) and Spotted Towhee (83, 61%) were below average. House Sparrows (33, 53%) tallied the lowest count since 2010. White-throated Sparrow and Lincoln Sparrow added to the total in count week. 

Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbirds (140, 29%) were in extremely low numbers, and the large flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds did not show up on count day but were added in count week. 

Count Week Birds

Many regularly occurring birds on the EAS CBC were missed on count day, but a search of eBird and reports from team members who scouted in the days before and after count day located 12 species to add for count week. This large number of bird species normally seen on count day supports anecdotal observations that birds were present in the area but remained unseen due to steady rain. The results make me consider the possibility of rescheduling the count in the event of severe weather. Changing a count employing tens of volunteers can be a difficult task, but count compilers might consider doing so to provide what would more likely be a more accurate accounting of the birds in a particular count circle.

I am grateful for the resolve of our volunteer team members and feeder watchers who limited by weather conditions completed the count of birds in our count circle. Thank you all for your dedication to the birds and for collecting important information which I have sent to National Audubon. 

Andy McCormick, CBC Compiler
Eastside Audubon Society
Kirkland, WA

Photo Credit by Penelope Kipps.

Christmas Bird Count, Feeder Watch, and Zoom Celebration

Christmas Bird Count, Feeder Watch, and Zoom Celebration

Written by Andy McCormick, CBC Compiler

Eastside Audubon will be conducting the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in our count circle on Saturday, December 18, 2021. As we did last year, we will conduct the count with small teams and be following the Eastside Audubon COVID-19 protocol. 

We are also recruiting people to join our CBC Feeder Watch Team and count birds at home. The only limitation is that you have to watch birds within the CBC Count Circle, which you can see below. 

Any Audubon member may join the Post-Count Zoom Celebration and review the count day activities. 

All registrations for Christmas Bird Count activities begin at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

Each year our feeder watch team has been growing and we hope you will consider watching birds at your feeder and entering the total into our database to be included in the CBC total count. First, register with Eastside Audubon. Then, on Saturday, December 18, choose a two-hour period when the birds will be busiest around your feeder or yard. 

Here is how to join the EAS CBC Feeder Watch Team and count birds at home. The deadline for registrations is December 12, 2021.

1. Register with Eastside Audubon by completing the online form at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

2. We will check your address to determine if your home falls within the EAS CBC Count Circle and let you know if you are eligible to be a feeder watcher. You can check the Count Circle below.

3. Feeder watchers should watch their feeders for two consecutive hours. Count the maximum number of a species you see or hear at any one time. For example, if you start watching at 7:00 a.m. and see 3 Black-capped Chickadees at 7:20, but at 8:00 a.m. you see 5, your count would be 5, not 8. In another example, if you see a Steller’s Jay at 7:10, see 2 and hear a third from a nearby tree at 8:20, and 2 more at 8:50, your count will be 3 Steller’s Jays, the most seen and/or heard at one time.

4. As soon as you can after you count birds enter the data into the Feederwatch Data Sheet online. If you cannot enter data from your computer or cell phone make a list of the birds and the highest number you saw at one time and mail them to: Eastside Audubon, P.O. Box 3115, Kirkland, WA 98083-3115, or email them to amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org.

5. Thank you for being a feeder watcher and adding the birds in your yard to the Christmas Bird Count data.

EAS COUNT CIRCLE MAP:

Photo credit by Penelope Kipps.