[ Carefree ]
Carefree – 2004
By Walter Thurber (compiler)
The 13th annual Carefree Christmas Bird Count was held on Monday, January 3, 2005. Some 71 field observers and 14 feeder watchers teamed up to find 95 species and 10,310 individual birds. Our species and individual bird totals were below average, due largely to rainy weather and localized flooding that hampered our efforts.
New species for the count were a Northern Pintail at the Rancho Manana golf course and a Rough-legged Hawk in the
Record high counts were established for Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup and European Starling. The weather was indeed fit for ducks. We equaled the record for Prairie Falcon, Vermilion Flycatcher and Red-breasted Nuthatch. White-crowned Sparrow was our most abundant bird. We had the national high count for just one species this year: Gambel’s Quail.
Late in the afternoon we sought refuge at the Satisfied Frog Restaurant in Cave Creek. Thanks to everyone who supported us this year.
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