On a very cold, gray, 23 degree day, four women — Lucia LeConey, Barbara Heizman, Miriam Swartz and Louise Tompkins — began the 27th Annual Bird Census at Medford Leas. Starting from the Nature Center and walking toward the Farm, we observed several Carolina Wrens and White-throated Sparrows. They came out from their sheltered areas behind the large brush pile to tell us they were there. After not seeing much else, we drove to Parking Lot F and walked the trail behind the Bridlington homes that follows above Sharps Run, hoping to see a lot more birds. There too the birds proved to be “hunkered down;” only the American Robins seemed to be brave enough to look for food that Thursday. We observed 10 species of birds — White-throated Sparrows, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadee, American Robins, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Wrens, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Turkey Vultures. We four were disappointed that the weather conditions for the morning were not conducive to better birding.

Several of our residents living in the Courts that usually participate from home said they had nothing to report after watching their feeders for a period of time. Janet Jackson-Gould however watching her feeders at Rushmore added to our species with a Fox Sparrow, Mourning Doves, a Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, American Goldfinches and American Robins. Rona and Ezra Shahn who live in the woods along the Rancocas Creek saw Mallards, Canada Geese, Dark-eyed Juncos, Mourning Doves, a Downy Woodpecker, a Blue Jay and a Tufted Titmouse. These two residences added our species number to 18 and a total of 103 birds.

It was not the most productive day for seeing and counting birds this year but we will be out again next year!

Weather: 23 degrees, cloudy
Participants: Janet Jackson-Gould, Lucia LeConey, Barbara Heizman, Ezra and Rona Shahn, Miriam Swartz and Louise Tompkins.