MSGA results from the Wastewater CBC

The Muskegon Wastewater Christmas Bird Count was held on December 18. The official results from the entire group will be posted as soon as I finish the compilation; this post summarizes my personal observations from the Muskegon State Game Area. This is the only section of the CBC that is covered on foot, and I have followed the same basic route since 2003. The attached image shows my morning (green) and afternoon (yellow) paths, 7.7 miles total, with various landmarks.

My tally of 26 species was two shy of the record but roughly one higher than the long-term average. However, the count of 374 birds well exceeded the previous mean of 287. Good weather promoted detections, and although snow and ice cover were substantial, the berry and seed crop was better than last winter's. Forest birds were generally common. Record counts were established for Mourning Dove (34), Downy (25) and Hairy (14) Woodpeckers, Red-breasted (4) and White-breasted (30) Nuthatches, and Brown Creeper (10). Also plentiful were Northern Flicker (9), Pileated Woodpecker (4), and Yellow-rumped Warblers (13). As in past winters with adequate berry crops, most Yellow-rumped Warblers were found at the mouth of the Maple River. This seems to be the only semi-consistent winter haven for this species in Muskegon County.

The only winter residents that were less common than usual were Golden-crowned Kinglet (2) and American Tree Sparrow (15). However, I did poorly on irregular species. Summer carry-overs were scarce, and as expected, all irruptive finches were absent. Eastern Screech- and Barred were the only owls I heard.

- Brian Johnson