Christmas bird count: 51 species reported

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BROOKINGS – Frigid temperatures didn’t deter the 21 watchers who took to the field in Brookings County on Saturday, Dec. 14, for the annual Christmas Bird Count. The count started here in 1957.

“We had the most species ever, with 51,” said organizer and ornithologist Nelda Holden, who has taken part in every count since the first one. “We had 21 good birders in the field and 23 bird-feeder watchers.” The “field” covered an area 15 miles in diameter, with the center 5 miles south and 15 miles east of Volga.

Holden called the count “a northern species year, with rough-legged hawk, goshawk, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, purple finch, red crossbill, Lapland longspur and snow bunting.” She added, “We also were glad to find Bohemian Waxwing, ruddy duck and redhead duck.”

The total count included: Canada goose, 73; mallard, 16; redhead duck, 1; ruddy duck, 1; ring-necked pheasant, 77; wild turkey, 23; sharp-shinned hawk, 3; goshawk, 1; bald eagle, 7; red-tailed hawk, 12; rough-legged hawk, 1; rock pigeon, 244; Eurasian collared dove, 78; mourning dove, 7; great horned owl, 5; belted kingfisher, 1; red-bellied woodpecker, 27; downy woodpecker, 52; hairy woodpecker, 18; flicker, 4; American kestral, 3; northern shrike, 4; blue jay, 230; crow, 54; horned lark, 204; black-capped chickadee, 92; red-breasted nuthatch, 10; white-breasted nuthatch, 38; brown creeper, 3; robin, 24; brown thrasher, 1; starling, 106; Bohemian Waxwing, 1; cedar waxwing, 9; Lapland longspur, 20; snow bunting, 50; tree sparrow, 194; slate-colored junco, 113; white-throated sparrow, 1; cardinal, 31; red-winged blackbird, 4; meadowlark, 1; rusty blackbird, 3; Brewers blackbird, 4; common grackle, 3; house finch, 62; purple finch, 4; red-crossbill, 5; pine siskin, 34; American goldfinch, 67; and house sparrow, 704.

The Brookings County bird count was part of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count and has been reported to the National Audubon Society. This year’s count was the 120th.