Lumberton Leas 18th Winter Bird Census, January 25, 2017
After two rainy and windy days the ML Birders were able to take their census on a day that, weather wise at least, improved through the morning and ended in bright sun and relatively warm temperatures. It looked like it was going to be a bountiful day as there was a lot of activity when we headed down to the trails after checking out Monarch Lake for waterfowl.
After the initial rush to log the species and numbers the day slowed down considerably. We totaled 29 species and added two more for a total of 31 species when some feeder data was added. Large numbers of Ring-necked Ducks and Common Mergansers were recorded on Monarch Lake as well as Ring-billed Gulls. The Rancocas Creek also had “flotillas” of Common Mergansers and a lot of Ring-billed Gulls. Other waterfowl recently seen did not make an appearance (no Mallards, Black Ducks, Ruddy Ducks or Coot). The usual land and song birds were present but not in great numbers (seven Robins total!!). The usually reliable Great Horned Owl was found but not in its usual roosting tree. Still a nice way to spend the morning.
Weather: Clearing skies. Temp 44-52ºF.
Participants: Dino Fiabane, Robert Koch, Kay Smith and Miriam Swartz. Feeder data: Ann Campbell
Bird list:
31 species
1,571+ individuals
Canada Goose 1000
Ring-necked Duck 64
Common Merganser 150
Mourning Dove 1
Ring-billed Gull 50
Turkey Vulture 9
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 21
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 12
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 7
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 1
House Finch 23
American Goldfinch 1
Dark-eyed Junco 21
White-throated Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Northern Cardinal 8