The count day was cold (27-48F), with relatively calm winds, and overcast at times but without any precipitation. Water bodies were thinly frozen, with small ponds completely frozen over and the lakes partially frozen. This likely contributed to rather low waterfowl numbers (zero grebes!). Winter finch numbers were also low, with no crossbills and only one siskin observed. Crossbills were occasional throughout the year but were not observed during count week even with effort. A lone Pine Siskin was observed at the GMSF Wilson Center feeders in the morning.
Even with what felt like slow birding at times, several high counts were set for the Grandfather CBC, notably the total species (68 incl. 3 count week, beating 64 set in 2023) and total individuals (2,741, beating 2,302 in 2020). This is likely due to the higher effort (avg. of 25.5 party hours). Some species records: Turkey Vulture: 26 (22 in 2015) Red-tailed Hawk: 19 (11 in 2020) Eastern Screech-Owl: 9 (7 in 2023) Great Horned Owl: 4 (2 in 2023, 2021, 2006) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 10 (7 in 2008) Downy Woodpecker: 37 (30 in 2019) American Kestrel: 5 (3 in 2020) Carolina Chickadee: 154 (131 in 2021) Hermit Thrush: 6 (3 in 2023) Dark-eyed Junco: 285 (234 in 2016) White-throated Sparrow: 59 (45 in 2022) Song Sparrow: 272 (236 in 2020) House Finch: 88 (68 in 2012) We also tied our Cooper's Hawk (4 in 2023), Mourning Dove (93 in 2019), Red-bellied Woodpecker (20 in 2023), and Northern Cardinal (73 in 2019) counts.
Notable species: Ruddy Duck found by Will Bennett at Bass Lake early in count week was photographed count day. Not seen on the count since 1998. American Pipit found by Pat Geiger's group and seen/photographed by several folks at the intramural fields on the Boone Greenway. Previously seen in 1999 and 2005. Eastern Meadowlark found by Dwayne Martin on the 105 route, previously in 1984 (cw), 2006, and 2019.
Count week only species: Lesser Scaup - Will Bennett at Bass Lake 12/11 Killdeer - Richard Gray at Boone Greenway fields 12/15 Bald Eagle - Richard Gray at Brookshire Park 12/17
Our missed species are generally unreliable anyway: Wild Turkey, Pied-billed Grebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, White-crowned Sparrow, Red Crossbill. Two species of note - Red Crossbill and Peregrine Falcon - were each seen two days outside of the count week window and are not included, but were probably around that week.
If you live in the high country and are able to adopt a route for several years, reach out to me later this year at <research...>, as we are interested in expanding circle coverage. Thanks again to all of our counters!
