9th NASSAWADOX, Virginia, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, December 21,
2014. 31 observers, 122 species. Results from a still rather
unbirded area, with the exception of Willis Wharf, and to some extent Boxtree
Road/Machipongo. But after 9 counts we're learning some things.
INTERPRETATION: "snow goose 777 (4,79-371)" means 777 were reported,
seen by 4 parties, whose totals ranged from 79 to 371. If only 1 number
is given with no details on party totals that means only 1 party found the bird
(e.g., "black-bellied plover 325"). "scoter unID'd 84
(3/9)" means this entity was reported in 3 of 9 years. For species
seen by 3 parties the sum of the extremes subtracted from the grand total
reveals how many were seen by the 3rd party, so with "horned grebe 46 (3,
8-26)" the 3rd party found 12. For unusual species and unusually
high numbers the species name is capitalized.
the BIRDS WATERFOWL): snow goose 777 (4, 79-371). blue goose 6 (2,
2-4). brant 725. Canada goose 929 (8, 5-360). tundra swan
8. wood duck 0 (7/9). gadwall 2 (Hog I.; 6/9). American
wigeon 0 (5/9). American black duck 228 (6, 1-150). mallard 84 (5,
1-75). blue-winged teal 1 (1/9). northern shoveler 1 (5/9).
northern pintail 1 (5/9; Hog I.). green-winged teal 28 (9/9; 2,
8-20). ring-necked duck 1 (8/9). COMMON EIDER 11 (new for this
count; BAn,TT,HA; 1 ad. male, 1 imm. male, 9 females; Hog I.;
photographed). surf scoter 600. white-winged scoter 0 (2/9).
black scoter 32 (4/9). scoter unID'd 84 (3/9). long-tailed duck
6. bufflehead 552 (7, 4-475). common goldeneye 2 (7/9).
hooded merganser 132 (7, 2-50). common merganser 0 (1/9).
red-breasted merganser 4 (2, 1-3). ruddy duck 106 (8/9; 4, 1-93).
