Participants in the 123rd Christmas Bird Count (CBC), conducted on December 17, 2022, here in Archuleta County, logged 4,432 total observed birds, spanning 68 species.
76 participants logged some 31 miles on foot, 29 hours at feeders and 447 miles by car as they scoured a 15-mile diameter circle with the center point being the transfer station along County Road 500.
Area lakes largely froze over in the weeks leading up to the CBC and, thus, our waterfowl diversity and total numbers were less than historical averages. That said, and despite detecting more than 500 fewer total birds than in the 122nd CBC, this year’s count marked our highest species count in 12 years.
The CBC tradition originated nationally in 1900. Weminuche Audubon and Audubon Rockies would like to thank this year’s CBC participants for their commitment and time providing vital local information on bird population health.
Interesting and rare observations included a yellow-bellied sapsucker, northern pintail and northern pygmy owl. Three additional species were seen during the count week (spanning three days prior/after the count day) including a Williamson’s sapsucker, Virgina rail and a very late migratory group of sandhill cranes. These species cannot be counted toward count day, but simply reflect a presence or absence in the area across the count week.
The five most commonly seen species included American crow (637), dark-eyed junco (362), black-billed magpie (356), pygmy nuthatch (283) and house sparrow (278). Another high count to mention is the 18 bald eagles detected on count day.
Local CBC participants gathered on Zoom recently to share their stories, reflections and pictures from the day. One commonly expressed sentiment was that the best part of the CBC is sharing the experience with others. Whether it be discovering a new “lifer” bird, or sharing a bird you’ve seen many times with
someone new to that bird, the magic is often an equivalent.
Birding can be infectious, and working together for the purpose of painting a species list of our avian neighbors each winter is a group effort.