Utopia - Lost Maples CBC

Christmas Bird Counts are a one day survey within a 15 mile diameter circle, held close to the same day each year, in early winter. A couple thousand are done nationwide. Some counts are a hundred years old! Here we are testing the water so to speak, doing a trial run here. The map showing the circle is at the bottom of this page. January '08 marks the fifth year we have done it here locally. Of course the numbers are a small fraction of what is actually witnering here, for you would need to organize a small army to really get accurate figures. However if the same methods (observers, skills, efforts) are used each year, the results are comparable and informative. We will eventually put this up in graph form but for now the old fashioned long-hand style will have to suffice. At least you can get a good idea of what is wintering in the valley, especially after 5 years now. Over the five years combined we have found just over 120 species of wintering birds for the master list, which includes count week (CW) species seen 3 days before or after the count day itself. We put the most recent ('08) count at the top for ease of finding the most recent count without scrolling through old ones, but, note prior counts follow in reverse chronological order. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Winter Bird Count #5 ~ Jan 5, 2008 Well finally we did it, played hooky and put a whole day in doing nothing but finding and counting each and every and all the birds we could for a day from Utopia to Lost Maples. Same coverage as prior years, about 90 miles in the car, lots of going slow birding from it, mostly standing around, at a lot lot of stops, and a couple miles slowly on foot. Sunny, 35-65 deg. F. There is always some great surprise, for your labors. And equally for sure, on count day, you will miss some species that are seemingly always easy, and only record them for CW - count week (3 days before and after the count). Here's this year's list: Pied-billed Grebe, 2; Black Vulture, 61; Gadwall, 4; Green-winged Teal, 60; Osprey, 1; Northern Harrier, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper's Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, CW; Red-tailed Hawk, 9; GOLDEN EAGLE, 1 ad.; Crested Caracara, CW; American Kestrel, 14; Merlin, 1; Killdeer, CW; Eurasian Collared-Dove, 14; White-winged Dove, 26; Mourning Dove, 68; Inca Dove, 1; Common Ground-Dove, CW; Greater Roadrunner, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Green Kingfisher, 1; Golden-fronted Woodpecker, 16; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2; RED-NAPED Sapsucker, 1; Sapsucker species, 3; Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 8; Northern Flicker, 2; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 1; Red-winged (hybrid) Flicker, 1; Black Phoebe, 2; Eastern Phoebe, 9; Say's Phoebe 2; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Hutton's Vireo, CW; Blue Jay, 2; Western Scrub-Jay, 16; Chihuahuan Raven, CW; Common Raven, 2 (Lost Maples); Carolina Chickadee, 12; Black-crested Titmouse, 30; Verdin, CW; Bushtit, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown Creeper, 1; Canyon Wren, 3; Carolina Wren, 38; Bewick's Wren, 12; House Wren, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 13; Eastern Bluebird, 24; Hermit Thrush, 8; American Robin, 2; Mockingbird, 28; Long-billed Thrasher, 1; Starling, 1; Cedar Waxwing, 131; Orange-crowned Warbler, 8; Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, 16; PINE WARBLER, 1; Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 1; Chipping Sparrow, 193; Field Sparrow, 2; Vesper Sparrow, 92; Savanah Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, 1; Lincoln's Sparrow, 3; White-crowned Sparrow, 6; Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco, 5; Northern Cardinal, 90; Pyrrhuloxia, 1; Western Meadowlark, CW; Audubon's Oriole, CW; House Finch, 44; Pine Siskin, 16; American Goldfinch, 24; House Sparrow, 28. 67 species count day, plus 9 count week (CW) species equals 76 species for the count week. About average normal. 1187 individuals birds were found and counted on count day. Down but mostly because no large flock of blackbirds was found this year. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CBC #4 ~ Utopia-Lost Maples January 1, 2007 coverage "same as always": 2 observers, 1 party, 10 hours a couple plus of which are working the feeders at home. A few hours on foot, 6 or so by car - much at walking speed. Pied-billed Grebe - 3; Great Blue Heron - 2; Black Vulture - 150; Gadwall - 5; American Wigeon - 1; Green-winged Teal - 2; Northern Harrier - 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1; Red-shouldered Hawk - 2; Red-tailed Hawk - 1; American Kestrel - 8; Wild Turkey - 18 (+2 shots); Rock Pigeon - 2; Eurasian Collared-Dove -8 ; White-winged Dove - 75; Mourning Dove -28; Inca Dove - 1; BROAD-TAILED Hummingbird - 1; ALLEN'S Hummingbird - 1 (2nd year returnee) ; RINGED Kingfisher - 1 ; Golden-fronted woodpecker - 12; RED-NAPED Sapsucker - 1 ; Ladder-backed Woodpecker - 4; Northern Flicker - 1; Black Phoebe - 2; Eastern Phoebe - 13; Say's Phoebe - 2; Couch's Kingbird - 1 ; White-eyed vireo - 1; Hutton's Vireo - 2; Blue Jay - 2; Western Scrub-Jay - 8; Chihuahuan Raven - 2; Carolina Chickadee - 13; Black-crested Titmouse - 20; Verdin - 1 ; Brown Creeper - 1; Canyon Wren - 1; Carolina Wren - 8; Bewick's Wren - 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet - 8; Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 26; Eastern Bluebird - 38; MOUNTAIN Bluebird - 2; Hermit Thrush - 5; American Robin - 270; Mockingbird - 13; European Starling - 1 (!); American Pipit - 2; Cedar Waxwing - 120; Orange-crowned Warbler - 3; Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler - 35; Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler - 1 ; Spotted Towhee - 1; Chipping sparrow - 350; Field Sparrow - 19; Vesper sparrow - 18; Lark Sparrow - 14; Savannah Sparrow - 53 ; FOX (Red) Sparrow - 1; Song Sparrow - 4; Lincoln's Sparrow - 1; White-crowned Sparrow - 5; Slate-colored Junco - 5; Oregon Junco - 1; Northern Cardinal - 35; Western Meadowlark - 1; Meadowlark sps - 24; Brewer's Blackbird - 200; Brown-headed cowbird - 2; Common Grackle - 2; House Finch - 22; Lesser Goldfinch - 2; American Goldfinch - 1; House Sparrow - 30; 73 species found on count day (CD) plus 2 identifiable forms. Twelve (12) additional species were seen count week (CW), which is the 3 days before and after count day (CD): Double-crested Cormorant; Mallard; Northern Pintail; Ring-necked Duck; Crested Caracara; Great Horned Owl; RED-HEADED Woodpecker; Bushtit; PINE Warbler; Rufous-crowned Sparrow; RUSTY Blackbird; and finally we got overdue Audubon's Oriole for CW (but still not CD!). A total of 85 species were recorded CW. Interesting is the 4 year combined total of all species found on all 4 counts. In other words, in 4 one-week periods in early January, the total is 120 species. A small army of experts could probably get nearly a hundred in a day, in a good year, with good weather. Best birds, or highlights, for this year (07) were the following. At our feeders, the Broad-tailed and Allen's Hummingbirds were great: the Allen's a returnee for its 2nd year, and the imm. male Broad-tailed stayed until April! Our first Ringed Kingfisher was at the expense of getting the other 2 more regular species. The Mountain Bluebirds were another first. Then the neatest and most surprising bird maybe, was the Red-headed Woodpecker at Roy Heideman's place. You never know what may show up, if you only go out to look and see, and count and record while you're at it. Jan. 08 will be #5! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CBC #3 ~ Utopia-Lost Maples January 7, 2006 low 34 high 76 clear 2 obs. in 1 party 5 hrs & 101 miles by car; 3 hours & 1.5 miles by foot 2 hrs. yard watching Pied-billed Grebe 5; Great Blue Heron 1; Black Vulture 24; Gadwall 4; American Wigeon 2; Mallard 1; Northern Pintail 4; Green-winged Teal 7; Ring-necked Duck 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 1; American Kestrel 11; Killdeer 1; Rock Pigeon 2; Eurasian Collared Dove 4; White-winged Dove 26; Mourning Dove 12; Selasphorus HUMMINGBIRD (Rufous/Allen's) 1; Green Kingfisher 1; Golden-fronted Woodpecker 6; Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2; Northern Flicker 3; HAMMOND'S Flycatcher 1; Black Phoebe 1; Eastern Phoebe 9; Say's Phoebe 1; Loggerhead Shrike 3; Western Scrub-Jay 6; Blue Jay 3; Chihuahuan Raven 1; Common Raven 2; Raven sps. 1; Carolina Chickadee 12; Black-crested Titmouse 12; Bewick's Wren 3; House Wren 1; Carolina Wren 7; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7; Eastern Bluebird 24; Hermit Thrush 4; American Robin 82; Northern Mockingbird 48; Long-billed Thrasher 1; rufous Thrasher sps. 1; Eurasian Starling 10; American Pipit 71; Cedar Waxwing 18; Orange-crowned Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 17; Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1; Chipping Sparrow 178; Field Sparrow 4; Vesper Sparrow 3; Lark Sparrow 16; Savannah Sparrow 13; Song Sparrow 2; Lincoln's Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 1; White-crowned Sparrow 1; HARRIS'S Sparrow 1; Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 6; Northern Cardinal 54; Eastern Meadowlark 2; Western Meadowlark 1; Meadowlark sps (prob. Western) 182; RUSTY Blackbird 1; Brewer's Blackbird 740; Brown-headed Cowbird 10; House Finch 12; Pine Siskin 26; American Goldfinch 46; House Sparrow 42; 69 species recorded count day Recorded during Count Week (3 days before or after count day): Greater White-fronted Goose; Turkey Vulture; Sharp-shinned Hawk; Caracara; Inca Dove; Common Ground-Dove; Eastern Screech-Owl; Roadrunner; Belted Kingfisher; Sapsucker species (Red-naped or Yellow-bellied); Couch's Kingbird; Sage Thrasher; Bushtit; Blue-headed Vireo; White-throated Sparrow; Pyrrhuloxia 16 species CW 85 species recorded count week ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ It is interesting to speculate on which or how many species winter in the valley. We missed 10 "regulars": Turkey, Cooper's Hawk, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl (local), White-eyed Vireo, Canyon Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, = 95 species known minimum in circle right now. +8 Other species seen in last two weeks probably or surely present in circle: Redhead, Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, American Woodcock, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hutton's Vireo, Pine Warbler, Curve-billed Thrasher +9 Other species likely present in circle: Common Poorwill, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Rock Wren, Cassin's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Common Grackle, Purple Finch =17 other species possible to likely to find with intense or less effort. =112 species total approximate number of wintering species in circle. surely a few unexpected surprises would also be present so a fairer estimate of the total possible species wintering locally would be in the 115-120 range. Perhaps 125 species may be present in years of peak diversity. With a dozen highly skilled birders, covering all the accessible areas of the circle during the prime first 6 hours of light, I would think it possible to record 100 species in a single day here at this time of year. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CBC #2 ~ Utopia-Lost Maples January 8, 2005 We were a little late getting it done this year, but finally, we got a full day of coverage very similar to the year prior. Here's the list with some notes. At 7 a.m. it was 36F and clear. By 8 a.m. it was foggy and overcast. Cleared mid-day to sunny and 70. Black Vulture - 74; Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1; Red-shouldered Hawk - 3; Red-tailed Hawk - 5; Kestrel - 16; Wild Turkey 4 males; Killdeer - 11; White-winged Dove - 23; Mourning Dove - 10; Inca Dove - 2; Eastern Screech-Owl - 1; Belted Kingfisher - 2; Green Kingfisher - 3; Golden-fronted Woodpecker - 10; Ladder-backed Woodpecker - 4; Northern Flicker - 3 (1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Unk.); Black Phoebe - 2; Eastern Phoebe - 15; Vermilion Flycatcher - 1; Couch's Kingbird - 1; Loggerhead Shrike - 2; Blue Jay - 2; Western Scrub-Jay - 5; Chihuahuan Raven - 4; Carolina Chickadee - 22; Black-crested Titmouse - 23; Carolina Wren - 20; Bewick's Wren - 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 4; Eastern bluebird - 12; Hermit Thrush - 2; American Robin - 390; Northern Mockingbird - 13; Long-billed Thrasher - 1; Cedar Waxwing - 351; Orange-crowned Warbler - 1; Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler - 14; Northern Cardinal - 107; Canyon Towhee - 2; Rufous-crowned Sparrow - 1; Chipping Sparrow - 334; Field Sparrow - 4; Vesper Sparrow - 9; Lark Sparrow - 3; Savannah Sparrow - 32; Song Sparrow - 2; Lincoln's Sparrow - 1; White-throated Sparrow - 1; White-crowned Sparrow - 6; Dark-eyed (Slate-c) Junco - 2; Western Meadowlark - 1; Meadowlark sps. 87; Common Grackle - 500; House Finch - 14; American Goldfinch 46; House Sparrow 25; 61 species and 2253 individuals on count day. (plus another sps. reported from circle that day by others: Common Raven at LM = 62 species for day if others' sighting added. There were 13 additional Count Week species seen either 3 days before or after count day: Northern Harrier; Zone-tailed Hawk; Cooper's Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove; Common Ground-Dove; Greater Roadrunner; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; White-eyed Vireo; Hutton's Vireo; Bushtit; Pine Siskin; Great Horned Owl; Barn Owl. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CBC #1 ~ Utopia-Lost Maples January 4, 2004 This was an inaugaural, test CBC. The standard 15 mile diameter circle covers the upper Sabinal River valley from Utopia at the south edge to Lost Maples SNA at the north end. See map of circle at bottom of page. Two observers in one party. 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.. Some birding and owling from porch/home. 5 hours and 101 miles by car. 4 hours and 2 miles by foot. 1 hour and 0 miles owling. 2 hours yard watching. Fog and drizzle at 66 F. in early a.m.; clear and warm in early afternoon (76F); major wind shift 3 p.m., dropping to 56F near sundown; and 46F at 10:30 p.m. when last new species for the day was recorded (Great Horned Owl calling). (Three seasons in one day!) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Count Day (CD) - 1/4/04 - Bird List Pied-billed Grebe 1; Black Vulture 21; Cooper's Hawk 2; Red-shouldered Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 4; Caracara 1; Kestrel 19; Turkey 38; Sandhill Crane 53; Rock Dove (Pigeon) 2; Eurasian Collared-Dove 5; White-winged Dove 72; Mourning Dove 180; Inca Dove 23; Roadrunner 1; Great Horned Owl 1; Green Kingfisher 1; Belted Kingfisher 2; Golden-fronted Woodpecker 20; Ladder-backed Woodpecker 15; DOWNY Woodpecker 1; LEWIS'S Woodpecker 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1; Northern Flicker 3 (one each Red & Yellow shafted, one hybrid); Black Phoebe 1; Eastern Phoebe 16; Couch's Kingbird 2; Loggerhead Shrike 1; White-eyed Vireo 1; Blue Jay 2; Western Scrub-Jay 12; Common Raven 7; Chihuahuan Raven 2; Carolina Chickadee 14; Black-crested Titmouse 24; Bushtit 10; Rock Wren 1; Canyon Wren 2; Carolina Wren 20; Bewick's Wren 5; House Wren 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Eastern Bluebird 44; Hermit Thrush 2; American Robin 21; Northern Mockingbird 14; European Starling 10; Orange-crowned Warbler 3; Myrtle Warbler 6; Spotted Towhee 5; Canyon Towhee 1; Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2; Chipping Sparrow 247; Field Sparrow 4; Lincoln's Sparrow 5; Vesper Sparrow 51; Savannah Sparrow 24; Song Sparrow 5; White-throated Sparrow 2; White-crowned Sparrow 4; Slate-colored Junco 8; Northern Cardinal 70; Meadowlark sps. 100; Brewer's Blackbird 430; Brown-headed Cowbird 3; House Finch 31; American Goldfinch 1; House Sparrow 19. 69 species, and 1702 individual birds recorded CD, plus one form (2 N.Flicker types). Seen Count Week (CW)(within 3 days before or after count day): Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Killdeer, Common Ground-Dove, Eastern Screech-Owl, Cedar Waxwing, Lark Sparrow (6), Common Grackle. 9 additional species recorded CW. One additional form CW - Oregon Junco. = total of 78 species + 2 forms for CW Near misses: Barn Owl missed CW by one day, and Bobwhite missed CW by 100 meters!!! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Unusual species notes (*'s) Sandhill Crane - This flock flew over our house at 5:30 p.m. heading south. Downy Woodpecker - This female is wintering in UP, present about a month now. Lewis' Woodpecker - Flew over road in front of us at a Pecan Grove about 3 miles north of Utopia. Refound 4 days later still present at same spot, probably wintering. Apparent first Bandera Co. record. Couch's Kingbird - one found nearly a month prior, and two found just before count, wintering at UP. Probably the first record of them wintering in the hill country on the Edwards Plateau proper. White-eyed Vireo - at Lost Maples, probably the first winter record there, however two others wintering in Sabinal River Valley (one at UP, and one at our house) missed count day. Blue Jay - up to 4 known locally in UP area. Chihuahuan Raven - 2 seen harrasing raptors with 4 Common Ravens, I first thought were Crows they were so small next to Commons. However upon getting them in binocs, they were clearly Chihuahuan Ravens. First I've positively ID'd locally here (though I thought I had some before). Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 at Lost Maples were with a winter flock of Chickadees, Titmice, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Orange-crowned Warbler (and White-eyed Vireo). Canyon Towhee - this bird at our seed pile since 1/1/04. Meadowlark sps. - I've ID'd both species here prior to count, but did not positively ID either sps. CW. CW - Eastern Screech-Owl - calls almost nightly from our front yard, refused to do so CD!&%$#*^%$! CW - Common Grackle - a male left over on 1/1 from a group of 25-30 present in Utopia most of Nov.-Dec.. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ First count afterthoughts With 69 sps. found by one party on CD, and 78 for CW, I'd expect over 80 could be found by a small group of good birders (8-10 in 4-5 parties) on a good day. Maybe even 90 species if you got lucky and didn't miss any of the regularly known present species, plus found a few rarities, like the Lewis' Woodpecker, Couch's Kingbird, etc.. Heck, a hundred species is not out of the realm of reality if you had a small army of good birders out there, during the right (an exceptionally good) year. And I know, I should have gone out and ID'd both species of Meadowlarks DURING count week! The area is essentially unbirded in winter, save a few cursory looks at Lost Maples SNA. I haven't seen a birder here in two months, and don't expect one in the next two months. Clearly much could be gained from a little serious field work here, especially in winter. I would also imagine over time, with access gained to some spots along the Sabinal River, even more things could be found, and found out. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ First year ('04) was 69 count day and 78 count week species. Second year ('05) was 61 count day and 74 count week species. Third year ('06) was 69 count day and 85 count week species. Fourth year('07) we had 73 count day and 85 count week species. The four year total species recorded for all CD and CW's is 120.

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