The 2014 Muskegon
Wastewater Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted on Wednesday,
December 17. This was the tenth 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 forest parcels, 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 nice
hiking jaunts.
The following nine
volunteers, separated among six parties, assisted with this year's
effort: Feller DeWitt (in the NNW zone), Ric Pedler and Jim Zervos (NNE
zone), Charlie DeWitt (ESE zone), Dayle Vanderwier and Connie Peoples
(at MWS), Marc Miedema and Mary Poort (at MWS), and Brian Johnson (at MSGA).
Combined, observers accrued 25 hours (8.25 on foot, 16.75 by car) and
198 miles (8.2 on foot, 190 by car) of coverage.
Unlike the extraordinarily
frigid and snowy conditions from November (and the icy conditions
from last year), the weather in December was quite mild. On count
day, there was no snow on the ground, and even ponds and small creeks
were largely free of ice. Although winds on December 17 were gustier
than typical, the average daily temperature (31°) was close to
normal, and precipitation was limited to light snow in the afternoon.
Skies remained overcast all day. Cone crops were much reduced this
season.
A total of 9,531
individuals, representing 55 species, was recorded on this year's
CBC. The individual total fell below the historical (2000-13) mean of
10,935 birds, but the species count matched the past average.
In 2013, extensive ice
cover severely reduced the number of waterfowl. This year, despite
the nearly ice-free conditions at the Wastewater lagoons, waterfowl
concentrations were still lacking. The nine species of waterfowl
numbered only 2035 birds (mean 4875) and comprised only 21% of all
the birds seen this year. Northern Shoveler, a Wastewater specialty
during the winter, was nearly missed. On the other hand, thanks to
the landfill, gull numbers were exceptional. Six species were seen
and records were set for FIVE of these. Only Ring-billed Gull (which
frequents the aerator cells instead of the landfill) failed to make
an impact. With 26 birds (average 41) of six species, diurnal raptors
were scant; and owls were represented strictly by a good showing of
four Snowy Owls.
Landbirds were unusually
scarce, as only three species (Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned
Kinglet, and Cedar Waxwing) exhibiting totals significantly higher
than normal. Sparse food crops and mild weather conditions
drastically curtailed numbers of winter visitors. Red-breasted
Nuthatch was missed entirely, and counts of Dark-eyed Juncos, Tree
Sparrows, and winter finches (only one Siskin) were remarkably low,
although two Northern Shrike were welcome. Year-round residents were
likewise reduced, with weak counts of Doves, Crows, Chickadees,
Cardinals, House Finches, and Goldfinches. The paucity of Mourning
Doves may be attributed to the harsh winter of 2013-14, but available
bird feeder usage may have influenced some of the other counts.
Landbird numbers in the backwoods of MSGA were generally good.
Exceptionally bitter November weather and marginal berry supplies
combined to diminish the number of lingering summer residents
compared to previous years. One Winter Wren, seven Flickers, and
seven Yellow-rumped Warblers (at their usual location) were
encountered, but Robins were missed this year. For the third
consecutive year, Ruffed Grouse, seriously declining across Muskegon
County, were also absent.
Of the species recorded
this year, 37 exhibited totals below previous historical means,
whereas 18 exceeded those averages. Eight species (five gulls) set or
matched record high counts. The four most abundant species (Herrring
Gull, Canada Goose, Mallard, and Starling), comprised 90% of all
individual birds seen (a figure considerably higher than normal). Two
new species* recorded on the 2014 CBC raised our cumulative total to
109.
Breakdowns of all the
birds encountered this year are presented below:
Canada Goose - 1404;
historical average 2977
Mute Swan - 1; at MWS
Tundra Swan - 1; by Mark
and Mary
Gadwall - 10; average 86
American Black Duck - 33;
average 140
Mallard - 581; historical
average 510
Northern Shoveler - 2;
average 1301
Hooded Merganser - 2; by
Charlie; ties previous high
Ruddy Duck - 1; by Dayle
and Connie at MWS
Wild Turkey - 49; average
116
Great Blue Heron - 2; by
Charlie; ties previous high
Bald Eagle - 5; 1 adult, 4
immatures
Northern Harrier - 1; by
Dayle and Connie at MWS
Cooper's Hawk - 1; by
Charlie
Red-tailed Hawk - 10;
average 16
Rough-legged Hawk - 6;
average 9
American Kestrel - 3;
average 7
Ring-billed Gull - 10; at
MWS
Herring Gull - 6231; new
high count, historical average 2182
* Iceland Gull - 1; first
CBC record, at MWS
Lesser Black-backed Gull -
1; ties previous high, at MWS
Glaucous Gull - 8; new
high count, at MWS
* Great Black-backed Gull -
4; first CBC record, at MWS
Rock Pigeon - 13; average
153
Mourning Dove - 17;
average 301
Snowy Owl - 4; all at MWS
Belted Kingfishter - 1; by
Brian at MSGA
Red-bellied Woodpecker -
14; 10 at MSGA; historical average 17
Downy Woodpecker - 27; 16
at MSGA; historical average 29
Hairy Woodpecker - 12; all
but 1 at MSGA; historical average 8
Northern Flicker - 7; by
Brian at MSGA
Pileated Woodpecker - 4; 1
by Ric and Jim, 3 by Brian at MSGA
Northern Shrike - 2; 1 by
Feller, 1 by Dayle and Connie at MWS
Blue Jay - 58; average 74
American Crow - 95;
average 200
Horned Lark - 1; by Mark
and Mary
Black-capped Chickadee -
74; average 117
Tufted Titmouse - 27;
average 30
White-breasted Nuthatch -
22; 18 at MSGA; average 23
Brown Creeper - 1; by
Brian at MSGA
Winter Wren - 1; by Brian
at MSGA
Golden-crowned Kinglet -
6; 2 by Ric and Jim, 4 by Brian at MSGA
Eastern Bluebird - 11; by
Brian at MSGA
European Starling - 323;
average 1279
Cedar Waxwing - 105; by
Feller
Snow Bunting - 50; by Ric
at MWS
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 7;
by Brian at MSGA
American Tree Sparrow -
28; average 176
Song Sparrow - 1; by Brian
at MSGA
Dark-eyed Junco - 98;
average 165
Northern Cardinal - 27; 22
at MSGA; average 65
House Finch - 17; flock of
15 by Ric and Jim; average 63
Pine Siskin - 1; by Brian
at MSGA
American Goldfinch - 15;
average 176
House Sparrow - 95;
average 160
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
