The 125th Christmas Bird Count in North Carolina

            The 125^th CBC in North Carolina consisted of 53 counts, with three (Alamance County, Holly Shelter and Portsmouth) not being run. Total, the climate this season averaged barely hotter temperatures and fewer precipitation. There have been 9 counts that had highs above 60, and 4 with lows under 20 (Catawba Valley, Pilot Mt., Rockingham County, Stone Mt.). Snow was virtually non-existent, with mild snow falling on only one depend – the Higher Yadkin River Valley Rely. Frozen water was not a problem on any depend. Solely 4 counts had all-day rain – Balsam, Southern Lake Norman, Higher Yadkin River Valley, and Yancey County. Fortunately, no all-day fog was reported on any Rely. Excessive winds hampered a handful of mountains counts and a number of other Piedmont counts. Throughout this 12 months’s Rely 761,836 people of 220 species, no Rely-Week (CW) solely birds, and 1 kind (Ipswich Sparrow) have been reported. The species complete was down considerably from final season’s 228. High Coastal species totals included Wilmington’s 165, Southport’s 155, Morehead Metropolis’s 149, Bodie-Pea’s 144, and Kitty Hawk’s and Cape Hatteras’ 116. Tidewater counts have been led by Lake Mattamuskeet’s 149, Pamlico County’s 126, New Bern’s 119, and Alligator River’s 104. Coastal Plain counts have been led by Pettigrew with 116, Wayne County with 105, Rocky Mount with 100, and Greenville with 98. Main Piedmont counts included totals of 104 at Raleigh, 102 at Southern Lake Norman, 98 at Roanoke Rapids, 93 at Jordan Lake, and 92 at Durham. Mountains counts have been led by Henderson County’s 84, Brevard’s 83, Buncombe County’s 73, Grandfather Mt.’s 72, Stone Mt.’s 64, and Lake Lure’s 63.

            5 Better White-fronted Geese at Alligator River have been the one ones discovered this Rely interval. Snow Geese have been down once more, in comparison with the final couple of years; however Ross’s Geese have been up (9 at Pettigrew, singles at Mattamuskeet, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Gastonia). Brant have been discovered on two counts with 5 at Kitty Hawk and 7 at Cape Hatteras. Three Cackling Geese have been recorded, with two at Mattamuskeet and one at Pettigrew. The variety of Tundra Swans was up this 12 months, however nonetheless under the excessive numbers of a few years earlier! All Puddle duck numbers rebounded considerably from the previous 12 months. Most spectacular was the whole of 9 Eurasian Wigeons with eight at Mattamuskeet and one at Pettigrew. Diving duck numbers have been similar to final winter – however Canvasbacks have been approach down, whereas Redhead numbers have been approach up. Single Frequent Eiders on six completely different counts have been noteworthy. Single Harlequin Geese have been famous on the Bodie-Pea Islands and Wilmington counts this 12 months. Scoter numbers have been up this 12 months, with the whole of 16 White-wingeds being notable. Frequent and Pink-breasted Merganser numbers have been approach down this depend season, however Hooded Mergansers have been up significantly. Northern Bobwhite numbers rebounded with 46 on 8 counts. All the time a great discover on a Christmas Rely, a Ruffed Grouse was positioned at Scorching Springs. Pink-throated Loons have been down considerably this 12 months whereas Frequent Loon numbers have been considerably down from final 12 months. Three Pacific Loons have been discovered with singles at Cape Hatteras, Wilmington, and inland at Kerr Lake. These places have traditionally had Pacifics within the winter. Horned Grebe numbers have been down this 12 months, whereas Pied-billed Grebe numbers have been barely down. A Manx Shearwater at Kitty Hawk supplied a primary for that depend. Northern Gannets rebounded considerably with numbers nearly tripling over the earlier 12 months. Double-crested Cormorant numbers have been similar to final 12 months, Brown Pelican numbers have been significantly up, and American White Pelicans have been down. Anhinga numbers have been about like final 12 months with 44 being discovered on ten counts. Lengthy-legged wader numbers have been typically barely up once more, in comparison with final 12 months. Single Inexperienced Herons have been famous at Cape Hatteras and Wilmington. Osprey numbers totaled 55 on 16 counts, with the farthest inland being three on the Gastonia depend. Three have been on final 12 months’s depend – may they be the identical people? Vulture numbers have been comparatively steady this 12 months, as have been hawk and Bald Eagle numbers. The rarest chook of prey was the Golden Eagle photographed at Chapel Hill. Rails have been present in comparable numbers to final 12 months. American Coot numbers have been down significantly once more, persevering with a gentle decline for the final three years. Sandhill Cranes are rising as winter guests, and 33 have been discovered on three counts ‑ Rocky Mount (8), Morehead Metropolis (3), and Pettigrew (22). Shorebird numbers have been noticeably down this depend season. Three Black-necked Stilts at Bodie-Pea, one Wilson’s Plover at Camp Lejeune, and one Stilt Sandpiper at Pamlico County have been the highlights. Eighteen Piping Plovers on 5 counts have been down from final 12 months. Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, each yellowlegs, Marbled Godwits, and each dowitchers have been approach down. Noticed Sandpipers totaled 7 on 5 counts, down from final 12 months. Of notice was the file complete of 85 Purple Sandpipers (83 at Wilmington, 2 at Bodie-Pea). Jaeger numbers have been up in comparison with final season with 22 Parasitics on three counts (15 Kitty Hawk, 6 Southport, 1 Wilmington). Two Pomarine Jaegers have been famous, with singles at Morehead and Southport. Alcids have been onerous to seek out within the state’s coastal waters this season, just one was famous at Cape Hatteras. Gulls of notice included 1 Black-headed Gull at Bodie-Pea, and single Little Gulls at Cape Hatteras and Southport. Royal and Forster’s Terns have been barely up in comparison with final 12 months. Caspian Terns included one at Bodie-Pea, two at Ocracoke, and one inland at Jordan Lake – offering a particularly uncommon winter report away from the coast. Black Skimmers lingered in glorious numbers this season, with 300 at Camp Lejeune, 184 at Morehead, 28 at Bodie-Pea, 24 at Wilmington, and 21 at Southport.

            Quick-eared Owls have been once more briefly provide this 12 months, with solely two being discovered on the common Alligator River space. No Northern Noticed-whet Owls have been detected, though one was discovered within the common Bodie Island pines space simply after the depend interval! Ruby-throated Hummingbird numbers have been about common, with most alongside the coast as common. All species of woodpeckers have been barely up, in comparison with final 12 months. Numbers for Kestrels and Merlins have been up this season, whereas Peregrine numbers have been down once more, with a complete of 5 with singles from 5 counts! Ash-throated Flycatchers had one other banner 12 months with 5 on the Pettigrew depend and a couple of at Alligator River. One actually wonders simply what number of Ash-throateds are wintering within the japanese a part of the state now! Crow numbers remained steady whereas Raven numbers decreased barely. Tree Swallow numbers have been down barely from final 12 months. Uncommon swallows included a Barn Swallow at Mattamuskeet and a couple of Cave Swallows at Ft. Fisher on the Southport depend. After final 12 months’s poor displaying, Pink-breasted Nuthatch numbers rebounded considerably, with 104 being discovered on 29 counts. Wren numbers remained comparatively steady from final season. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and each Kinglets have been additionally current in comparable numbers to final 12 months. Thrush and mimic thrush numbers have been similar to final season. Cedar Waxwing numbers have been barely decrease once more this season, persevering with a development for the final a number of years. Ten species of warbler have been discovered this depend season! Of the much less widespread regulars, seven Ovenbirds have been discovered (1 at Kitty Hawk, 6 at Cape Hatteras), however Black-and-whites, Yellow-throateds, and Prairies have been present in common numbers. Probably the most noteworthy have been 3 Nashville Warblers (2 at Kitty Hawk, 1 at Mattamuskeet). Notable sparrows included 4 Clay-colored Sparrows (one at Wilmington and three at Pettigrew) and 6 Lincoln’s Sparrows (Roanoke Rapids 2, singles at Rocky Mount, Haw River, Mattamuskeet, and Wilmington). A Western Tanager was as soon as once more positioned, this one being at a Morehead Metropolis feeder. An Indigo Bunting was a great discover on the Charlotte depend; most winter Indigos are normally discovered extra towards the coast. This 12 months’s Painted Buntings included 4 at Cape Hatteras, 4 at Morehead Metropolis, 2 at Southport, and 1 every at Wilmington and Pettigrew. Blackbird numbers have been down this 12 months for all species, besides barely up for Brown-headed Cowbird. Brewer’s Blackbirds have been discovered this 12 months with a pleasant group of eight being on the Roanoke Rapids depend. Wintering Baltimore Oriole numbers have been up once more with 175 from 20 counts! The perfect totals have been 34 at Wilmington, 28 at Raleigh, and 25 at Greenville. Bullock’s Oriole is changing into annual within the state, all frequenting feeders. This 12 months three have been current, with singles at Ocracoke, Morehead Metropolis, and New Bern! Purple Finches have been up with 453 on 45 counts, whereas Pine Siskins have been approach down with 53 on 12 counts. American Goldfinch numbers have been common for the previous a number of years; however just one Pink Crossbill was discovered, that being at Lake Lure. As common, no Night Grosbeaks have been discovered this depend season.

            Hurricane Helene hit the North Carolina mountains area September 27, 2024, inflicting widespread flooding and landslides. Many lives have been misplaced, and plenty of communities have been drastically affected. Untold buildings, houses, and roads have been broken or fully washed away. Most of the Christmas Rely circles within the area have been affected, with many favourite areas being broken. Additionally entry to many was not obtainable as a consequence of street and bridge destruction. Amazingly no counts have been canceled! The Compilers and Members of the Yancey County, Buncombe County, and Lake Lure counts are to be counseled for going ahead to “get the Rely finished” underneath such attempting situations. Hopefully their Rely Circles will get regular protection subsequent 12 months!