Christmas Bird Count yields 17 species of birds

The 110^th Audubon Christmas Bird Count results for the upper Susitna Valley have been tallied and are now available to the public. Tally sheets are available at the Talkeetna and Trapper Creek Libraries.

The count, in its 19^th year in the upper valley, occurred on January 2^nd this year.  Some results varied greatly from last year’s count.

This year, there were 37 observers compared to last years 25 observers.  However, last year a total of 19 species of birds and 903 total birds were counted.  This year, 17 species were seen and a total 688 birds were counted.

Black capped chickadees and common redpoll had the highest change in numbers.  Last year, only 176 chickadees were counted, and this year, 363 chickadees were seen.  However, last year 490 redpolls were counted, and this year, only 117 redpolls were seen.

A shrike and a great horned owl were sighted this year, which are both seldom seen during a Christmas Bird Count.

Each year seems to hold a first and this year wasn’t any different.  A fox sparrow was sighted this year.  Fox sparrows are seen all summer long and normally sighted in the spring bird count, but has never been sighted in the middle of winter during the Christmas Bird Count here in the northern valley.

The Audubon Society compiles results across the country and as far away as Antarctica from the bird count each year.  The process usually takes many months and by October or November all results have been compiled into the yearly journal.  Most information on this citizen science effort can now be found on the internet at Audubon.org/bird/cbc