The
2015 Muskegon Wastewater Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted on
Wednesday, December 16. This was the eleventh consecutive year that
we have participated with the official CBC program (coordinated by
the National Audubon Society), although results have been submitted
to Michigan Audubon since 2000. The designated count circle (15 miles
in diameter) mostly encompasses private farmland and woodlots, but it
also includes large tracts of public land managed by the Muskegon
State Game Area (MSGA) and the Muskegon Wastewater System (MWS). Most
birding is accomplished by cruising roads, although MSGA offers
lengthy hiking jaunts.
The
following ten volunteers, separated among seven parties, assisted
with this year's effort: Dayle Vanderwier and Connie Peoples (in the
WNW zone), Feller DeWitt (NNW zone), Ric Pedler and Jim Zervos (NNE
zone), Charlie DeWitt (ESE zone), Jill Henemyer and Ken Sherburn (at
MWS), Marc Miedema (at MWS), and Brian Johnson (at MSGA). Combined,
observers accrued 27.5 hours (7.0 on foot, 20.75 by car) and 248
miles (7.4 on foot, 241 by car) of coverage.
Because
the weeks preceding the 2015 CBC were accompanied by a strong El Niño
weather pattern, temperatures in September, October, November, and
especially December were warmer than normal. The daily mean of 45°
on December 16 tied the highest in the history of the Wastewater CBC.
Consequently, all creeks and ponds were devoid of ice, and no snow
had covered the ground since November. In fact, only 3.9 inches of
snow had fallen thus far this season. Unfortunately, winds were
strong on count day, and the 2015 CBC ranks as the second windiest in
its history. Skies were overcast all day, and rain fell in the
afternoon. Cone crops were essentially absent this fall.
A
total of 9,909 individuals, representing 49 species, was recorded on
this year's CBC. Total individuals and species both fell below the
historical (2000-14) means of 10,842 birds of 55 species.
Ice-free
conditions and diligent work by Jill and Ken at the MWS lagoons
significantly boosted numbers this year. The total of 7,878
waterbirds, representing thirteen species, was 3,000 birds above
average and ranks as the fifth highest since the inception of the
count. Moreover, waterbirds comprised 80% of all birds seen this
year, and that ratio represents the greatest imbalance in the history
of the Wastewater CBC. Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck established new high
totals, and the 72 Hooded Mergansers completely annihilated the old
record of just two! The Shoveler total of 2,447 was a great winter
tally for Michigan, and an Eared Grebe was a Wastewater CBC first.
Raptors
were relatively scarce this year. Rough-legged Hawks were missed for
the first time ever, but a Peregrine Falcon on the center dike was a
nice find. Two Snowy Owls were the only owls encountered.
Due
in part to weather conditions on count day, landbird numbers were
dismal this year. Not only do strong winds reduce landbird activity
in general, but they also severely hinder aural and visual
detections. The dreary skies and afternoon rain certainly did not
help matters. Moreover, sparse food crops and mild fall weather
drastically curtailed numbers of winter visitors. Lingering summering
residents were very scarce due to a combination of low breeding
productivity, reduced berry crops, and dispersed forage and habitat
availability stemming from milder weather.
The
only regular landbirds more plentiful than usual were Hairy
Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, and Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Conversely, Horned Lark, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cedar Waxwing, Snow
Bunting, and Song Sparrow were missed entirely. Local Turkey counts
remain below their peak from the mid-2000s. Depressingly, Ruffed
Grouse, common across Muskegon County three decades ago, seem to have
all but disappeared locally
Not
surprisingly, numbers of irruptive finches were abysmal, though a
single Purple Finch was encountered at MSGA. As was the case at the
Muskegon Lake banding station this fall, goldfinches were likewise
scarce. On the other hand, one Northern Shrike, one Common Raven, and
eight Yellow-rumped Warblers (at MSGA) were welcome finds. An Eastern
Meadowlark (at MWS) represented the first for the Wastewater CBC.
Of
the species recorded this year, 27 exhibited totals below previous
historical means, whereas 22 exceeded those averages. Six species set
or matched record high counts. The four most abundant species
(Shoveler, Herring Gull, Canada Goose, Mallard, and Starling),
comprised 74% of all birds seen. Two new species* recorded on the
2015 CBC raised our cumulative total to 111.
Despite
the relatively few landbirds and sub-optimal weather conditions,
unusually warm temperatures, a pleasant lunch, and several nice birds
provided yet another enjoyable CBC.
Breakdowns
of all the birds encountered this year are presented as follows:
Canada
Goose - 1443; historical average 2872
Gadwall
- 123; average 81; highest count since 2008
American
Black Duck - 64; average 133
Mallard
- 690; average 515; highest count since 2010
Northern
Shoveler - 2447; average 1214; fifth highest count
Lesser
Scaup - 15; second highest count
Bufflehead
- 153; new high count (previous high 30)
Hooded
Merganser - 72; new high count (previous high 2)
Ruddy
Duck - 397; new high count (previous high 330)
Wild
Turkey - 18; average 112; third lowest count
*Eared
Grebe - 1; new species
Great
Blue Heron - 1; present 13 of 16 years
Bald
Eagle - 7; average 6
Northern
Harrier - 3; ties second-highest count
Sharp-shinned
Hawk - 2; present 8 of 16 years
Red-tailed
Hawk - 11; average 16
American
Kestrel - 3; average 7
Peregrine
Falcon - 1; third CBC record
Ring-billed
Gull - 106; average 120
Herring
Gull - 2366; average 2452
Rock
Pigeon - 194; average 144
Mourning
Dove - 41; average 282; second lowest count
Snowy
Owl - 2; present 10 of 16 years
Belted
Kingfisher - 1; present 10 of 16 years
Red-bellied
Woodpecker - 6; average 16; second lowest count
Downy
Woodpecker - 13; average 29; third lowest count
Hairy
Woodpecker - 10; average 10
Northern
Flicker - 2; average 7
Pileated
Woodpecker - 5; average 4
Northern
Shrike - 1; present 12 of 16 years
Blue
Jay - 72; average 74
American
Crow - 166; average 193
Common
Raven - 1; third CBC record
Black-capped
Chickadee - 69; average 114
Tufted
Titmouse - 15; average 30
White-breasted
Nuthatch - 11; average 23
Brown
Creeper - 3; average 3
Golden-crowned
Kinglet - 10; average 3
Eastern
Bluebird - 2; average 18; third lowest count
European
Starling - 1103; average 1215
Yellow-rumped
Warbler - 8; present 10 of 16 years
American
Tree Sparrow - 40; average 166; second lowest count
Dark-eyed
Junco - 89; average 161; fourth lowest count
Northern
Cardinal - 21; average 62; third lowest count
*Eastern
Meadowlark - 1; new species
House
Finch - 14; average 60; lowest ever count
Purple
Finch - 1; present 5 of 16 years
American
Goldfinch - 25; average 165; second lowest count
House
Sparrow - 19; average 155; second lowest count
Results
from the Muskegon Wastewater and the approximately 2,400 other
Christmas Bird Counts are submitted to the National Audubon Society,
where they can be accessed online
(birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count).
Many thanks to those who participated this year, and we encourage all
interested birders to join us next December.
- Brian Johnson
