The 77th consecutive Elizabethton CBC was held on Saturday, 14 Dec with 30
observers
in 6 parties. The temperature lingered in the 40s all day with light rain. Only
63 species
were tallied, which is 10 below the recent 30 year average. The low species
total, as well
as low individual numbers, was likely due to the lousy weather. The all-time
high on this
count was 85 species set just 2 years ago.
Highlights:
Ruffed Grouse - 1
Wild Turkey - 75
Bald Eagle - 6
Red-headed Woodpecker - 1
E. Bluebird - 181, a good number here
Cedar Waxwing - 449, another high count
Pine Warbler - 1, less than annual on this count
Chipping Sparrow - 16
Savannah Sparrow - 5
Notable misses:
ducks - just 3 species found; their numbers have been low so far this season
Killdeer
Wilson's Snipe
Eur. Collared-Dove
owls (except 1 screech-owl) - due to rainy conditions
Red-br. Nuthatch
Brown Thrasher
Fox & White-crowned sparrows
E. Meadowlark
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The 67th Roan Mtn CBC was held the following day, Sunday 15 Dec with 8
observers
in 2 parties. The skies had cleared from the previous day. About 1 inch of
fresh snow
was found at elevations above 4500 ft. A good cone crop is present in the
spruce-fir
forest. The count tallied 49 species, which is 3 above the recent 30 year
average. The
all-time high on this count was 55 species found in 1987. Lower species totals
on this
count are due to harsher climate in higher elevations, less diversity of
habitats, and
lower number of observers & parties.
Highlights:
Canada Goose - 26 - few records on this count
Am. Black Duck - 11
Am. Kestrel - 1 - few records on this count
Com Raven - 27 - more than Blue Jays (21)
Red-br. Nuthatch - 2 - in spruce-fir forest where they breed
Purple Finch - 1
Red Crossbill - 10
Pine Siskin - 1
Notable misses:
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Brown Creeper
Fox Sparrow
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Rick Knight, compiler
Johnson City, TN
