Today's Sheldon CBC turned out exceptionally well. Despite windy weather and occasional rain (even a bit of sleet), we benefited from open water on all reservoirs and ponds, temperatures well above freezing all day, good road conditions, and a record-high 11 volunteers to find a count record 44 species.
That includes 4 new species of waterfowl not found in previous years (Greater White-fronted Goose, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, and Lesser Scaup). We set new record high numbers for 17 species.
Surprisingly we found no shrikes (for a count that has produced as many as 8 Loggerheads and 3 Northern Shrikes in past years.
The most notable bird from a Nevada standpoint was a single American Tree Sparrow, found by one team Alex and Paul Linton and Ian and Clayton Peoples when they followed up on a owl roost found by Brendan Bucy earlier in the day (most or all apparently Long-eared Owls but there's a chance that one of them might turn out to be a Short-eared Owl, once Brendan has a chance to view his photos on a larger screen).
I'll post full results after I get back home tomorrow. Meanwhile thanks to all of the volunteers for a great count despite the wind and rain.
Joel Geier Writing from Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
