Christmas Bird Count
Results of the 2011 Lawrence CBC
Forty-four (plus one at feeders) participants, in 13 parties, found100 species on 17 December 2011 on the occasion of the 112th National Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the 68th Lawrence Christmas Bird Count. This was the second time in a row we have recorded 100 species, and only the third time since 1999 that we equaled or exceeded 100 species. It was a very good effort by all involved and was probably aided by the mild weather this year. We recorded 25+ species of waterfowl and other water birds and still missed a handful of uncommon duck species that we normally can expect. You always miss a few regulars, but with some extra rarities it is definitely possible to regularly get 100 species in December on the Lawrence count!!
In general, overall perching bird numbers were fairly low or just average, with a few exceptions. Sparrow and finch numbers continue to be fairly low. The complete list (in the latest American Ornithological Union order) that follows has the unusual species and/or unusually high individual numbers underlined and/or in bold type. We set all-time record high counts for 9 species (see the list for those records), and although we didn’t add any new species, the high counts for Savannah Sparrow and Le Conte’s sparrow were very notable.
Other unusual species were: White-fronted Goose (1), Trumpeter Swan (count week only), Common Loon (1), Red-shouldered Hawk (3), Golden Eagle (1), Merlin (1), Short-eared Owl (1), Loggerhead Shrike (2), Brown Thrasher (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (2), and Brewer’s Blackbird (1). Notable misses this year include Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Northern Bobwhite, Rough-legged hawk, Prairie Falcon, Long-eared Owl, Hermit Thrush, Lapland Longspur, Pine Siskin, and Field Sparrow (count week only).
Thanks to all of this year's participants, to Jayhawk Audubon for covering the participation fee, and to the Prairie Park Nature Center for providing us with a place to hold the compilation dinner, Hope to see you all again next year for the 113th National Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
—Galen Pittman, Lawrence CBC Compiler
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