Christmas Bird Count successful despite heavy snows

By Nancy Auer, Copper Country Audubon

Cardinals were among the most unusual bird sitings during the recent Houghton County Christmas Bird count. Photographer Michael Shupe photographed this cardinal on a snowy branch. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © 2008 M.J.Shupe Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

HOUGHTON -- Despite the heavy snows seen in December, the Houghton County Christmas Bird count was very successful. On a gray and snowy Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, 14 birding enthusiasts spread out across a 15-mile-diameter circle in Houghton County and counted 34 species and 1,944 individual birds.

Dana Richter, Copper Country Audubon Club president, photographed these Pine Grosbeaks eating sunflower seeds at a bird feeder on the Salo Road. "Males are bright red and females are gray," Richter says. "They are about the size of a robin and only come to the Copper Country in the winter." (Photo © 2008 Dana Richter. Reprinted with permission.)

The count is part of an annual event sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the local Copper Country Audubon Club. The Houghton count has been ongoing since 1976.

The most unusual reports for 2008 were 1 Brown Creeper, 6 Robins, 3 Northern Cardinals, 3 Gray Jays, 2 Cedar Waxwings and 3 Golden Crowned Kinglets.

Gray Jays, like this one photographed by Michael Shupe, were also among the rarest birds observed locally during the Christmas Bird Count. (Photo © 2008 M.J.Shupe Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

High counts were observed for American Goldfinches (320) and Common Redpolls (510), but we also saw a great many White-winged Crossbills (74) and Bohemian Waxwings (100).

Michael Shupe photographed this Bohemian Waxwing, one of the high-count birds. During the Copper Country Christmas Bird Count 100 of these were spotted by birders. (Photo © 2008 M.J.Shupe Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

Other findings included: 2 Canada Geese, 5 Mallards, 20 Common Goldeneye, 1 Bufflehead, 16 Ruffed Grouse, 6 Bald Eagles, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 8 Herring Gulls, 216 Rock Pigeons, 21 Mourning Doves, 24 Downy, 13 Hairy and 6 Pileated Woodpeckers, 90 Blue Jays, 30 American Crows, 33 Common Ravens, 272 Black-capped Chickadees, 48 Red-breasted and 21 White-breasted Nuthatches, 53 Starlings, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos, 9 Pine Grosbeaks, 6 Purple Finches and 17 Pine Siskins.

This Hairy Woodpecker is eating suet at a feeder on the Salo Road. Christmas bird counters reported 13 of these in the Copper Country on Dec. 20. According to Dana Richter, "These black and white birds are about six inches long; our other common black and white woodpecker, the Downy Woodpecker, is slightly smaller; for both species the male has a bright red cap." (Photo © 2008 Dana Richter. Reprinted with permission.)

The Copper Country Audubon again thanks the Wercinskis of Rabbit Bay, who annually warm cold birders each year with cider and goodies.

This Ruffed Grouse in the snow was captured by Michael Shupe's camera. Birders reported siting 16 of these during the 2008 Christmas Bird Count. (Photo © 2008 M.J.Shupe Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count on the Audubon Web site. Results should be posted this month, January 2009.

Editor's Note: Nancy Auer, author of the text for this article, is the compiler for the Copper Country Christmas Bird Count and reports the data to the National Audubon Society.