Brian's December Wastewater CBC Report

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