1998 Christmas Bird Count Results

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

Salt/Verde Rivers CBC - Dec. 18,1998

by Bob Bradley (compiler)

As they say about a vintage wine, it was a very good year. The total of 145 species was second only to 1987's 152 species. It is especially significant, because it was not a montane species irruption year. With the help of El Nino, the habitat was in good shape, and the birds agreed. The total of 37,725 individual birds was the third highest for the 14-year history of this count. And it was all accomplished with the help of 103 people "in the field" and 11 feeder/yard watchers. Thank you all for your effort.

One first-time bird for the count appeared. Rich Ditch, Anita Van Auken, and Russ Widner spotted a male Black-chinned Hummingbird in desert scrub along the edge of the Southern Canal. A common summer breeder, Black-chins are very rare in the winter. A second notable bird, and a second record for the count, was a Western Sandpiper found at Fountain Hills Lake by Pete Moulton. Becoming more regular and a third count record, were two Ruddy Ground-Doves discovered in the Ft. McDowell Tribal Community by Scott Burge.

This count produced the highest number of waterfowl species in the history of the count, 20. Of note in this group was a Greater White-fronted Goose, second for the count, spotted by Matt Chew, also at Ft. McDowell, with 12 Snow Geese. Speaking about numbers, there were 36 Snow Geese seen by the Dennis Stadel party at the opposite side of the river from Matt Chew. Other interesting waterfowl include a pair of Blue-winged Teal recorded by Rich Ditch, two Cinnamon Teal by Janet Witzeman, 5 Common Goldeneyes (4 by both Janet Witzeman and Joe Woodley parties and 1 by Rich Ditch's party), and 3 Hooded Mergansers by the Don Baer group.

One Turkey Vulture seen by Chuck Kangas on the Salt River Reservation was a third count record. One immature Golden Eagle was observed by Vince Whitehead's group near the southeast corner of Fountain Hills. The 5 Merlins reported were another count record.

Norm Shrout's area produced the only Common Moorhen, a count regular, and 2 Black-necked Stilts, a second count record. Troy Corman's group located the 2 Long-billed Dowitchers recorded.

Five owl species is unusual for the count, and the 7 Barn Owls and 15 Long-eared Owls are new count records. The Harvey Beatty party found 5 of the Barn Owls and 6 of the Long-eareds. Way to go, Harvey! The other 2 Barn Owls were spotted by Craig Anderson's party, and the Dwayne Fink team located the other 9 Long-eareds.

Troy Corman found the Dusky Flycatcher in its usual place for the third straight year and also found the only Cassin's Vireo and the only Black-and-white Warbler. The 16 Gray Flycatchers are a new count high. Doug Alexander's group found 1 of the 2 Burrowing Owls in the usual area on the Salt River (the other seen in Norm Shrout's area), and the only 2 Mountain Bluebirds. Connie Dunning and party found the only Bushtits (5) in Fountain Hills. Also in Fountain Hills, Sam Stearman spotted the only 2 Cedar Waxwings. The one Townsend's Warbler was seen by Janet Witzeman's group. Our intrepid rock hopper, Tim Price, produced the 3 Rufous-crowned Sparrows and the sparrow which we have begun to expect from him, the Black-chinned, 2 of them this year. The one American Goldfinch of the count was recorded by Bruce Palmer and Ruth Patterson. The table below shows the 12 species for which we achieved national high numbers for the 1997 count. Also shown are the 1998 totals for these species. The 12 national highs rank No. 6 in the country and compares to 21 species for the No. 1 count, Mad Island Marsh, TX.

In 1997, of the 28 Christmas Bird Counts in Arizona, 13 other counts had national highs for 1 to as many as 7 species. Let's consider the 1997 national highs compared to our 1998 totals for other species for which we have this potential.

As you can see, we are likely to repeat our 1997 highs, except for Vermilion Flycatcher, in 1998 and will likely add several from the potential list. No. 1 in the country some day? Don't count it out. We are fortunate to be able to count birds in this part of the country, and it is obvious that the birds like it too. Thanks again for your help, and we'll see you next December. By the way, the date is Thursday, Dec. 16., 1999.

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

Carefree

by Walter Thurber (compiler)

The seventh annual Carefree Christmas Bird Count was held on Monday, December 28, 1998. Excellent weather prevailed as 64 dedicated observers took to the field or kept watch at their feeders. Their efforts were rewarded when 102 species and a record 10,796 individual birds were found. New species for the count were Acorn Woodpecker, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Lark Bunting and Lark Sparrow. Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler was also reported for the first time. Eastern Phoebe is a rare winter visitor that was not recorded on any Arizona Christmas count last year. The cumulative total for seven years now stands at 129 species.

Western Flycatcher found near Seven Springs was our second record, back on the list after a one year absence. Once again the bird did not call so we were unable to determine whether we had a Cordilleran Flycatcher or a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Both species winter in Mexico and seldom linger in the United States. Our first Western Flycatcher equaled the North American high count for the 1996-97 season.

Painted Redstart appeared for the fourth year in a row. This species is regular on only four other counts statewide: Atascosa Highlands, Green Valley-Madera Canyon, Portal and Ramsey Canyon. Lesser Scaup, Long-eared Owl and Vesper Sparrow returned after disappearing for two years. Some winter regulars that were missed this year include Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-chinned Sparrow and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Record high individual totals were established for 31 species that were not new to the count. Some examples include Gambel's Quail-1793, Phainopepla-464, Black-throated Sparrow-420, Cactus Wren-372, Western Bluebird-309, Verdin-180, Ring-necked Duck-143, Cedar Waxwing-54, Green-tailed Towhee-14, American Coot-13, Juniper Titmouse-12 and Golden Eagle-4. Last year we set the North American record for Bendire's Thrasher and Curve-billed Thrasher.

Our complete results are posted on the new BirdSource website, a joint project of the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. The website address is:

http://birdsource.cornell.edu.

You may also request a copy of my report.

To count participants.­ Maricopa Audubon members play a major role in the Carefree count and I am grateful for your support. I look forward to your return next year as we continue to chronicle the diverse birdlife in the scenic Carefree-Cave Creek area.

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

Gila River - 30 December 1998

by Troy Corman (compiler)

Two years ago, when the Gila River Christmas count reached 132 species, I thought that would be a difficult total to break. Well, was I wrong. This year we reached 141 species which blew the 1996 record out of the water! I believe much of this was related to the record number of participants (55!) many of whom were seasoned veterans, the weather (sunny, yet smoggy, temp. 33-75F, and calm winds), and of course, luck. Many species that are fairly regular in small numbers, but still easily missed, were observed by at least one group. There were 14 teams in the count circle, and almost all found at least one species that was not found in any other.

Highlights included the Ross's Goose (1st count record) found with two Snow Geese (2nd count record) while scouting and found count day by Herb Fibel's team. Herb's team also found the first Western Tanager for this count. Greg Clark picked out a Ruddy Ground-Dove (2nd count record) that was mingling with other doves, while Lin Piest's team found a beautiful Red-breasted Sapsucker (2nd count record) in a large athel tamarisk. Another first count record was the "Western Flycatcher" found by Tom Hildebrandt's team. Unfortunately, it did not vocalize, so its true identity is left in question. With these additions, the cumulative total for this count now stands at 202 species.

Thanks primarily to Sam Stearman's team, this was the first time in this count's 18-year history that all five species of expected thrashers, including Sage and LeConte's, were found. This seems to be the wintering White-tailed Kite capital of Arizona with five teams reporting 10 individuals, which, owing to likely duplication, I reduced to a conservative 7! This count is also recognized as the Abert's Towhee capital of ALL Christmas counts with a respectable 970 individuals this year! Good count week birds include Black Vulture (1st ever in count area), Bald Eagle (only 2nd time in count area), Sandhill Crane, and Swamp Sparrow.

Likely owing to last year's El Nino rains and very productive breeding season, some of out resident desert birds reached record numbers this year, including Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Black-throated Sparrow. The river is beginning to channelize and some of the willows and cattail marshes along side channels and pools are beginning to dry-out and die. Also, salt cedar and arrowweed are growing taller and denser each year, so the main channel is getting more difficult to reach, let alone view birds on. Every year we see habitat changes, with some benefitting birds, while others do not, and still some changes benefit one species while negatively influencing others. This is one of the many reasons that makes Christmas Bird Counts and other birding activities so interesting and fun. You never know what you are going to discover!

I really want to thank all team leaders and participants for their dedication, persistence, and a job very well done. I hope everyone returns (with friends and relatives!) next year to see what has or hasn't changed within this rural count with its riverbottoms, deserts, field, ponds, and towns.

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

Patagonia Christmas Bird Count

by Roy Jones (Compiler)

On January 3rd, 1999, 27 birders participated in the Patagonia Christmas Bird Count. The center of the count-circle is located just south of the town of Patagonia. It includes portions of the San Rafael Grasslands, Patagonia Mountains, Circle Z Ranch, and the Patagonia rest-stop; the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary is also in the circle.

The morning started out cold at 17°F but with the clear skies it warmed up nicely providing a great day for birding. The count finished with 132 species, slightly above average for its 36 year history. Even with such a long history the count still seems to find new species. This year was no exception with two new species: 2 Hairy Woodpeckers in the mountains and a Burrowing Owl on the grasslands. Other nice finds were: Green Kingfisher, male Ruddy Ground-Dove, and a Northern Pygmy-Owl, all of which were second count-records. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this year's count was the high number of Empidonax flycatchers (113 total individuals); Gray Flycatchers in particular were very high with 37. The grasslands parties did well this year; they counted 1344 Horned Larks (highest count ever) and 99 McCown's Longspurs (highest count ever). All told, this year was very successful. Thanks to all those who participated.

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

Rocky Point Christmas Bird Count 1998

by Steve Ganley (compiler)

This year's Puerto Penasco, Mexico, C.B.C. went very well with a total of 130 species found on count day and three additional species found for the count week. That makes it the third highest count total. It was also the highest number of participants (18) since I have been compiling the count. This count is quite different from the Arizona counts in that we have mostly waterbirds. We counted 17 species of ducks, 25 species of shorebirds and 13 species of gulls, terns and jaegers.

There was an on-shore wind for most of the count day but that may have helped in bringing some of the pelagic species closer to shore to be counted. Pelagic birds seen included Black-vented Shearwater, Black Storm-Petrel and Red-billed Tropicbird. For the Count Week we had Magnificent Frigatebird and Sooty Shearwater. The best bird of the day had to be the female Barrow's Goldeneye. This would be the first record for Mexico if accepted. Thanks to all the participants for a great job.

[ Salt-Verde Rivers | Carefree | Gila River | Patagonia | Puerto Penasco, MX ]

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