The Nansemond River Christmas Bird Count was held January 2, 2015
for the 21st time since its reinstitution in 1995. Thirty two
participants expended a total of 108.5 party hours (both new highs),
covering 418.8 party miles including 6 by boat. The weather was
certainly acceptable with the temperature between 40F and 55F and very
little wind and no rain during our birding hours. The total number of
species tallied for the day was 134 which is above the average of 123
but is two below the number tallied last year, three below the recent
high of 137 for the count held in 2009, and below the all time high of
140 in 1997.
There were no species new for the count, but several unusual
species were recorded: Eurasian Wigeon (4th record), Snowy Egret (4th
record), Sora (5th record), American Avocet (6th record), Red-headed
Woodpecker (6th record), Tree Swallow (2nd record), and Winter Wren (5th
record). Other species reached new high counts including: Northern
Pintail (44), Black Scoter (12), Great Egret (26 tie), Bald Eagle (48
even after correcting for duplication), Merlin (4), Tree Swallow (435, a
big number considering it was our 2nd record!), Brown-headed Nuthatch
(29 tie), Marsh Wren (19), Hermit Thrush (43), American Robin (3021),
and Brown Thrasher (33). A few species were recorded in record low
numbers: Common Goldeneye (1), Northern Bobwhite (1), and American
Kestrel (1, tie).
Our most obvious miss was Horned Lark, followed by Rusty Blackbird,
Common Yellowthroat, Western Sandpiper, Blue-headed Vireo, Northern
Gannet, Great Cormorant, Wilson's Snipe, White-crowned Sparrow, and Snow
Bunting.
I want to thank all our participants for the effort they made
during the count. I particularly want to thank Les Willis and his son
for their boat time on the Nansemond River. But obviously our results
couldn't be achieved without all of you. Finally I want to thank David
and Chris Matson for hosting the compilation. It's certainly a great
way to finish up count day.
See you all next year on the count
Bob Ake
Norfolk
Compiler, Nansemond River CBC
