Susan Colletta
David Wimpfheimer
Compilers
Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count
CAPR
P.O. Box 782
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

415 663-1363



January 10, 2005



John C. Wilson and Kelli Levinson
1425 Alta Vista Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305


Dear Editors:

The results of the 35th annual (2004) Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count (CBC) have been entered on the Internet.

Enclosed are descriptions for:

Harlequin Duck
Tufted Duck
Parasitic Jaeger
Red-naped Sapsucker
Least Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
Nashville Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Evening Grosbeak

The count was held on December 18, 2004 and we were very fortunate to have a sunny, calm day. The calm weather allowed us to get a boat out into the ocean to census seabirds, however, what little winds there were blew from the northeast and there were surprisingly few pelagic species in the count circle. In 2002, 3018 Northern Fulmar were observed, an all time CBC record. Last year 12,736 were observed, another all time CBC record. This year we observed only 9 Northern Fulmars. In addition, there were no shearwaters and only five individual jaegers. Two competent observers saw the Parasitic Jaegers and one Pomarine Jaeger.

Double-crested Cormorant (2651) was at a record high and Brandt’s Cormorant (1719) was at its highest level since the late 1970s. Turkey Vulture (803) was close to a record continuing an increasing trend. Canada Goose (598) numbers were also moderately high continuing that recent trend. While we did not have any Cackling Geese, we did observe 34 Lesser Canada Geese (small race). Dabbling ducks were at average numbers while diving ducks, except for Greater Scaup (8176), were low. Another trend previously noted is the sharp decline of White-winged Scoter. The total of 6 barely exceeded the previous low recorded in 2002. Black Scoter (23) was at about a third of average totals. Most of our record total of Common Mergansers (95) were seen in one flock.

Numbers of raptors were mixed; Northern Harrier (119) was at twice average numbers while Red-tailed Hawk (306) was at 50% greater than average numbers. Red-shouldered Hawk (48) was just below record numbers, but Peregrine Falcon (14) was 25% below high totals. Shorebird numbers were about average, although we do not believe the CBC is a good measure of shorebird abundance and other researchers do count this group with more efficiency in the Point Reyes estuaries.

The good weather and a greater number of participants owling may have contributed to a record number of Great Horned Owls (93), more than twice our average number.

Anna’s Hummingbird (309) was also at a record high, 50% greater than the previous high. Other insectivores set high totals or were just below; Downy Woodpecker (72), Hairy Woodpecker (76) and Nuttall’s Woodpecker (52), Black Phoebe (412) and Say’s Phoebe (109). Rich Stallcup saw the Red-naped Sapsucker (1). The Least Flycatcher (1) is also well described; it was only the third record in count history. Barn Swallow (3) was recorded for only the third time in the count. The compiler of the Moss Landing CBC, Bob Ramer, has told me that this species now occurs almost annually there. However, we are at least 100 miles further north and considerably colder. It will be interesting to see if global warming brings us more wintering swallows in the future.

The total of 175 Red-breasted nuthatches was very impressive, surpassing the previous record by 61. Amazingly, 105 of them where seen in one grove of non-native pines. A very experienced observer, Alan Hopkins, saw them. There must have been many seeds there as he also had 632 Pine Siskins in the same area. Numbers of thrushes were a bit below average.

Nashville Warblers (1) are seen on a bit less than 30% of our counts. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) had only been seen twice before. Both species were seen and well described by Dave Shuford. The grosbeak had been coming to a feeder for over a week before the count where it was seen by Rich Stallcup.

This year we had 199 field participants, the second highest total in 35 years. In summary, this was an “average” count. In over two-thirds of all the Point Reyes CBC’s since 1970, the species total has been between 190 and 200. This year we recorded 198 species. Of course, the reality is that just an average day in West Marin in the winter is better than all but a handful of the hundreds of counts across North America. The reality is that we are fortunate to live in and count birds in such diversely rich landscapes.

Sincerely,



David Wimpfheimer & Susan Colletta
Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count Compilers