The 2019 Reelfoot Lake Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 14.
Fourteen observers tallied 119 species. We have tallied that exact number of
species for three years in a row! The total is slightly below the 5-year
average of 121 species and slightly above the 10-year average of 117 species.
The all-time average over the course of 76 Reelfoot Lake CBCs is 94 species.
Participants were: Clay Bliznick, Bob Foehring, Mark Greene, Rob Harbin, Andrew
Lydeard, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Kathy Sellars, Ruben Stoll, Victor Stoll, Mike
Todd, Allan Trently, Alan Troyer, Donna Ward, and Steve Yarbrough. We were
missing several regular participants that we hope will return for the 2020
count.
Weather was decent with the exception of some very dense morning fog. The
temperature range for the day was 34-48 degrees F. The wind was out of the
northeast at 7-11 mph. Most of the day was overcast with morning fog and some
very light drizzle in the afternoon.
Highlights for the count were: 22 species of waterfowl, Northern Bobwhite,
Common Loon, Great Egret (3), Rough-legged Hawk, Virginia Rail (3), Greater
Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher (2), American Woodcock, Lesser Black-backed
Gull, Blue-headed Vireo, Fish Crow, House Wren (6), Sedge Wren (3), Marsh Wren
(11), American Pipit, Lapland Longspur, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common
Yellowthroat (3), Pine Warbler (4), LeConte’s Sparrow (4), Chipping Sparrow,
Western Meadowlark (2), and Purple Finch (1). Brewer’s Blackbird was missed on
count day but added as a count week species.
Notable misses this year were few but include: Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl
(totally missed for the first time since 1993), Red-breasted Nuthatch, American
Tree Sparrow, and Pine Siskin.
Species tallies which broke the previous high counts for this CBC: Wilson’s
Snipe (180), Marsh Wren (11), Eastern Bluebird (141), and Swamp Sparrow (492).
Blue-headed Vireo was a new species for this count, but was not totally
unexpected. That addition brings the all-time total species count for the
Reelfoot Lake CBC to 193 species (including count week species)! For count day
only, the species total is 185 species.
Thanks to all who participated and contributed to another successful count!
Good birding!Mark GreeneReelfoot Lake CBC CompilerTrenton, TN
