Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count 2006

The Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count (CBC) held on December 16, 2006 attracted 213 dynamic volunteers, of which 63 reside in West Marin. Only fifty of the 2,060 counts across North America have more than 100 participants.

As a group, we logged; 299 miles by foot, 268 miles by car, 36 miles by motorized boat and 7 miles by kayak.

We ultimately counted 122,172 individual birds, which represented 196 species.

The counters fanned out across the 15-mile diameter circle and meticulously explored the many habitats of West Marin. On a brisk day, the “citizen scientists” walked the streets of Point Reyes Station and Inverness, slogged through the swamps of Olema Marsh, and hiked the many trails from Limantour to Chileno Valley.

To efficiently cover such a large territory, the circle is divided into 31 different areas and leaders. About 60% of the count circle consists of public lands while the remainder is private property.

West Marin is fortunate to have many enlightened landowners who understand the importance of such an endeavor and allow access to their property.

One such landowner is rancher Mike Casey. After ten years, a new team assembled to canvas his property. Good-natured Casey, along with his gregarious and drooling ranch dogs took the time to drive the compilers around in his ATV, pointing out the various habitats, trails and boundaries of his property. Understandably, the only thing off-limits was the Longhorn Cattle. On count day, a team of six arrived to cover the pristine estate and was treated to Mike and Jeannie’s gentle brand of hospitality. Casey was curious about the birds we were finding and was thrilled to hear our anecdotes.

Rancher’s Margaret Nobmann and Jim Moore greeted the new team with warmth and enthusiasm as well.

We wish to express our heartfelt and scientific gratitude to all West Marin residents who allow access to their private property. Without you, the PRCBC would just be a broken jigsaw of habitat.

The diligence and expertise of the participants is obvious in the number of birds sighted. An astonishing, twenty-five species were recorded in higher numbers than in any other year of the count’s 37 year history.

1598 Brown Pelicans and 905 Heermann’s Gulls were among the record highs. These totals are about 50% and 100% higher respectively than the species’ previous high. Some observers have speculated that the occurrence of so many seabirds hundreds of miles to the north of their usual winter range may be a result of above normal sea temperatures.

Some species that have been observed in steadily increasing numbers have benefited from habitat preservation and conservation programs. This group would include raptors like Osprey (33), Red-shouldered Hawk (54) and Peregrine Falcon (22). Nuttall’s Woodpecker (52) has been increasing without a clear reason. Sadly, other species, like White-winged Scoter and Loggerhead Shrike, have steadily declined in their numbers.

Some migratory species such as Varied Thrush are extremely variable. Last year, our CBC tallied 300, the most of all CBCs in North America. This year, we detected an astounding 2,827. Anybody driving the roads of West Marin this winter cannot help but notice dozens of these robin-like birds scatter.

We make a genuine effort to find every bird, whether it is common or a rarity. Our experienced birders can identify small elusive birds by their calls as well as sight. A record total of 866 Townsend’s Warblers and 2,514 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were documented. The later, a tiny, drab olive-colored bird has the ability to wow an audience. When agitated, the male will “flash” its’ scarlet crown patch, as if freshly Dippity-dooed.

Some birds that do not migrate, such as Chestnut-backed Chickadee are often found in consistent numbers. This year’s count recorded 574 individuals, remarkably just four more than last year’s total.

Forty-four Common Ravens were recorded. This high total is consistent with increasing numbers of scavengers that have been seen in North America over the past two decades. In many parts of the country, non-native species have also shown significant increases. Our total of 119 Wild Turkeys reflects this trend.

Last year, our count for Bufflehead (11,030) shattered the 106 year-old North American CBC record. Most of these small, animated ducks were tallied by birders in three boats that census Tomales Bay. This year we counted an even more staggering number, 13,499; evidence of the productive estuaries found in our backyard.

A species never seen on the CBC before, Baird’s Sandpiper, was found on the shore of Abbott’s Lagoon in the company of common sandpipers. Most Baird’s Sandpipers spend the winter below the equator in South America. Other uncommon species found were Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black-throated Gray Warbler and three Palm Warblers.

Comparing the numbers to previous years figures makes the count an effective monitoring tool for wintering bird populations and trends in West Marin. Equally important, our statistics are added to those of all the CBC’s throughout the continent, maintaining the largest citizen based scientific effort in the world. All data may be found on www.birdsource.org.