Counting birds…

By CONNIE MERTZ

Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is exciting for birders. I was able to tag along on central PA’s, Bloomsburg count. Not only were there the usual songbirds common at backyard feeders, but Montour Preserve, where I participated, had scores of waterfowl on Lake Chillisquaque.

Two participants were at the lake in the pre-dawn hours counting ducks and geese. They were also able to count owls in nearby woods and fields. They discovered a roost of 20 long-eared owls! They were also searching for a snowy owl seen during the week. This is a rare wintering bird for central PA.

I joined them at 8:00 a.m., and as we viewed waterfowl from a spotting scope, I watched a small flock of geese fly over. Their silhouettes were darkened by the pastel sunrise. Canada geese were everywhere, snow geese, a tundra and mute swan. Blue herons dotted the water’s edge. By mid-morning, the sky was lined with flock after flock of Canada geese. It was estimated the day produced 4148 Canada geese. And there were ducks that could only be identified by the spotting scope.

The populations of songbirds were higher than usual as well. Even five Cooper’s Hawks, which usually don’t travel this far south, were spotted. Why the increase? Expert birders attribute it to the warmer weather this fall. The seasonal birds don’t sense the need to migrate from the area and are staying active. For instance, quite a few bluebirds were observed, plus robins. Even two Carolina wrens were heard singing.

It was a worthwhile day, and perhaps only birders can appreciate the thrill of observing a grand total of 13, 214 birds; a new record for the Bloomsburg Christmas Bird Count.