December 27, 2024 marked the 70th Central Suffolk Christmas Bird Count.
Extending from Smith Point County Park and Cupsogue County Park north to
Calverton, and from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton east to Yaphank, this
count includes ocean, bay, marshland, pond, farm field, wooded area, and a
massive residential habitat.
The clear morning dawned with below freezing temperatures but luckily
little more than a breeze. The sun eventually warmed up most of the 45
participants in 11 field teams. Lakes and ponds stayed frozen during the
day. 5 feeder watchers throughout the circle enjoyed their birds from
inside watching a Baltimore Oriole in Mastic and a long-visiting Rufous
Hummingbird and Orange-crowned Warbler in Eastport. The number of species
for the day totaled 117 with 21,019 individuals counted. Full details and
statistics will be available on the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count
website.
Some notable highlights of the day in the field included Snowy Egret,
Wilson’s Snipe, Long-billed Dowitcher, Seaside Sparrow, and Palm Warbler.
Our compilation dinner was held in Eastport and hosted with many thanks to
the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society who has sponsored the count since
1967.
Thank you so much to all of our participants that made this year a success.
Next year’s count will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2025 and we
hope you can join us!
A special thank you goes out to Eileen Schwinn for her tremendous work
compiling this count for 15 years. After retiring as compiler, she helped
out whenever needed, making the transition very smooth and seamless.
Good Birding and Happy New Year,
Katie Kleinpeter
Central Suffolk CBC Compiler
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