By Bill Shelmerdine
Total number of species was 123 seen on count day, plus 3 more (Long-tailed Duck; Northern Shrike; and White-breasted Nuthatch) seen count week. The total number of birds seen on count day was 58,103. The species count of 123 is somewhat lower than the 30-year average of 126.5 from 1990 to 2020. I don’t know how the total of 58,103 stacks up but it seems toward the high end to me. The total number of participants or observers was 99, a number worthy of note. Perhaps not surprisingly in this COVID-19 year, it included the highest number of feeder watchers that I am aware of for this count.
Most remarkable is the number of species that recorded high counts this year. 22 species had the highest species totals for the Olympia Count this year. They included Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Coopers Hawk, Barred Owl, Anna’s Hummingbird (268!), Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, California Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, Varied Thrush, Pine Siskin (9608!), Lesser Goldfinch (29), Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-Crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Townsend’s Warbler.
Perhaps Anna’s Hummingbird, California Scrub Jay, and Common Raven are not much of a surprise as they reflect a continuing trend. Barred Owl and Lesser Goldfinch also seem to be on a similar, though perhaps less dramatic, trajectory. Other species numbers may be related to timing and weather patterns. Jon Anderson pointed out “Nice weather on count day in between a pair of Chinook storms”. Pine Siskin numbers seemed to be through the roof based on reports throughout the PNW.
Some of the more notable (perhaps) misses included Greater White-fronted Goose, Common Murre, Western Gull, Northern Shrike, American Dipper, and Cedar Waxwing. The absence of boat-based observers surely affected some numbers and species, most notably Common Murre and the almost-missed Rhinoceros Auklet (one only!). In lieu of boats, two teams of shore-based “sea watchers” did an admirable job finding many of the inland marine species. The absence of dipper this year was likely related to the construction closure in the Tumwater Falls area, the traditional spot within the count area.
One species was added to the count this year. A most unexpected and amazing Rock Wren was found by Matt Curtis and Joe Dlugo on Chris Warlow’s team. Thanks to Chris for getting the word out, this bird was enjoyed by many during its several week stay. Other honorable mentions included Common Yellowthroat, Black Phoebe, Lesser Goldfinch, and Brown-headed Cowbird. The Phoebe and Goldfinch have been seen in each of the last few years and will perhaps become part of the list of regulars.
It was a successful count, despite a number of challenges related to COVID-19. Thanks for everyone’s participation and enthusiasm and in particular for conducting the count safely and in accord with the state’s COVID-19 protocols. Here’s to another great year and I hope we can all make it again next year!
Click here to see the full results of the 2020 Olympia Christmas Bird Count
