Williamsburg Christmas Bird Count

I enjoyed joining the Jolly Pond Circle crew for the Williamsburg Christmas Bird Count. Left to right: Margaret, Alex, Lee, Sara, Shirley.

Here are clips from a Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily article about the day:

Christmas Bird Count Nets Some Surprises

For 20 years, Bill Williams has been a volunteer bird spotter for the Williamsburg Bird Club. "When I started, I was just in awe of how the experienced birders could spot subtle differences between the birds," he says.

Two decades of doing this will teach you a thing or two. Now, Williams is the official records committee chairman and compiler for the Williamsburg Bird Club's Christmas Bird Count.

This year's 32nd annual count on December 21 saw a few unusual species spotted, but also a reduction in some of the birds that used to be common in the area. Most exciting to Williams is that 53 volunteers, an all-time high, staked out spots in a 15-mile circle, centered at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center.

"Of the 53 participants, we saw 109 species, which is about an average year," Williams says. "There's usually very little change in that number."

... Among the rare finds was a northern gannet, spotted in the York River. Williams says it's the first time the shorebird has ever been spotted during the Christmas bird count. Usually, at this time of year, the gannet's range is far to the south and east of the Historic Triangle.

There were also two short-eared owls spotted in the Hog Island Wildlife Management Area. Williams says it's just the third time they've been spotted during a Christmas count.

... There are far fewer songbirds than there used to be. Williams says the rusty blackbird, which used to be seen in large flocks, have seen their numbers decline all through their range.

... Other species ... have seen numbers edge up. Williams says there were 49 brown pelicans spotted during the Christmas count.