Muskegon Wastewater CBC Results

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