A cold (upper 20’s) sunny but windless day greeted the ML Birders at the start of the count. It was spotty for land birds early on but we did see many Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks and Ring-billed Gulls on the Rancocas. A Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Blue Heron were also seen in the marsh by the Kaydee Trail. The Great Horned Owl that has been roosting by the Holly Trail in an Atlantic Cedar was found but not in its usual place. Keen spotting by one of our party picked it out amidst the branches of another close by cedar.

A Bald Eagle was spotted soaring high above the Rancocas from the Willow Trail and a second Bald Eagle was seen flying over the marsh by the Kaydee Trail in the afternoon. The Red-bellied Woodpecker was seen and heard quite often and Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Robins, House Finches and Goldfinches were abundant.

We saw about a dozen Deer scamper across the marsh by the Rancocas Creek and one trying to flee across the thin ice on the canoe outlet stream to the Rancocas. Fortunately with a little struggle it made it to safety. A beautiful Red Fox was a delightful coda to the day.

Compared to last year the number of duck species seen was down with only the Mallard representing waterfowl. Overall we totaled 34 species and 2,469 individuals (Canada Geese and Robins are estimates).

Weather: Upper 20’s. Bright sun and no wind.

Participants: Ethel Cebra, Dino Fiabane, Robert Koch, Al Migdal and Miriam Swartz. Ann Campbell and Joe Costanza added feeder data.