Dec. 14 marked the start of the 126th annual Christmas Bird Count, which will run until Jan. 5. Teams of birders, and individuals, across the United States and beyond count species and the number of birds of each species on one day within this two-week period.
The results of the Christmas Bird Count is the longest running database in ornithology, representing more than a century of data, and reveals trends of winter bird populations. Over 50,000 observers participate in this daylong census.
The Newburyport Christmas Bird Count is Sunday, Dec. 21. Each count circle is 15 miles in radius. The Newburyport circle stretches from Plum Island to Georgetown, and from Salisbury to Rowley and parts of Ipswich.
You can participate in a count by joining a team in the field, or reporting birds at your feeders. Participation is free. The Newburyport count compiler is Tom Young of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and can be contacted at tomyoungnh@gmail.com. You can count the number of birds at your feeders or just report any unusual birds at your feeders that day.
Any birds that are found during “Count Week” but not on the day of the count, can be included in the records. Count Week includes three days before and three days after the day of the actual count. So for the Newburyport Count, any noteworthy bird seen from Dec. 18-24 can be recorded if it is not found on the day of the actual count, Dec. 21.
There are lots of geese around this year, including thousands of Canada geese feeding in the Common Pastures between Scotland Road and Hale Street in Newburyport. A “blue goose” (blue morph of a snow goose) was found within this huge flock last week.
These birds all fly to the harbor in the evening to roost for the night. One evening this past week, Margo and I stationed in the Industrial Park and watched them leaving the fields. I estimated 4,500 geese, as groups of two to 50 or more flew overhead.
There have been two Ross’s geese hanging out on the Hellcat dike and Bill Forward pool on Plum Island for more than a week. We hope that they stay for the count. Also in the area have been snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, and cackling geese, all worth looking for.
There have been short-eared owls on Plum Island for the past couple of weeks and also seen along the Plum Island turnpike near Woodbridge Island. A snowy owl was around the area a couple of weeks ago and one was found dead on the Plum Island jetty. With any luck, Count participants may find great horned, barred, saw-whet, or long-eared in their search this Sunday.
With this year’s prediction of a winter finch eruption, we should all be on the lookout for crossbills, pine siskins and evening grosbeaks at our feeders. Evening grosbeaks have already made brief appearances at feeders in Georgetown and in Merrimac this past week. Pine siskins or redpolls could be among the goldfinches at your finch feeders, so do check them closely!
The winter solstice and the shortest days of the year are upon us, and the cold is settling in. In preparation for this weekend’s count, please be sure to have food out for the birds and continue to keep the feeders full to help them through the frigid nights to come.
Add suet to your menu as it is a good source of energy for birds year around, but particularly during the colder months. As fresh water becomes frozen and scarce, consider adding a heater to your bird bath to keep water open during the winter months. They cost pennies to operate and they could be the only source of open water to some birds in the days and weeks ahead.
If you are struggling for that last minute Christmas gift, a bird feeder can be a great present. Even if someone has bird feeders, they can always use another.
There are so many varieties of feeders today, another feeder will supplement their offering to the birds. A bird feeder has the added benefit of helping birds survive the cold winter ahead.
For the recipient, it will bring them joy and it might spark enough interest that they, too, might participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count next year!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a new year full of amazing birds!
Steve Grinley is the owner of Bird Watcher’s Supply and Gift in the Port Plaza, Newburyport. Email him at Birdwsg@comcast.net. On the web: www.birdwatcherssupplyandgifts.com.