Thank you to all of the participants in the 2022 NW Gloucester County Audubon Christmas Count. Finally we got some good weather for the count! No rain, no snow, no blizzard, and decent temps. All 13 areas were covered. We were lucky enough to find 97 species on the day! Got ever so close to tha t 100 species. Each year it seems something drops out of the count to be replaced by another species, yet preventing us from hitting that century mark. 97 is pretty stinkin’ good however!
High numbers were found in geese, both Canada and Snow, Bald Eagles , American Robins, European Starlings, Common Grackles, Juncos, and White throated Sparrows. Lower numbers were found for Peregrine Falcon (1), no Bobwhite nor Pheasant yet again, Barn, Long eared, Saw whet Owls, Gray Catbird (1), and Brown Thrasher was missed.
What could have helped us get over the century mark??? More ducks, American Pipit, Eastern Meadowlark, Pine Siskin, among others. But if they aren’t there, they aren’t there. Yogi Berra might have been impressed with that line!
Results will be sent out to participants soon. I would like to sincerely thank everyone again from the bottom of my heart. And to the leaders a special ‘Thank You’ for all you do coordinating and planning, and executing the day. I know with the development of the county it is not getting any easier to navigate and tally.
Mark your calendar for the 2023 Count as it will be conducted on Saturday, December 16. Until then, "Happy Birding! Getting out there in the fresh air cleanses the mind and warms the heart. Introduce someone else to such a beautiful world!
Ron Kegel, compiler
ronaldk52@comcast.net