We began our census on January 16, 2019 under gray skies and cool weather, and it remained such throughout. However, it turned out to be a rather birdy morning as we totaled 28 species and 574 individuals. Last year on a bright and sunny day we saw 26 and 344 respectively. We missed our major quest, the Pileated WP, but did encounter other nice birds. We saw a flight of 50-60 Common Mergansers over the meadow, a Red-shouldered Hawk in a tree by Bridlington, a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the woods behind Bridlington and a couple of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Lots of activity around the feeders. We were also treated to Laurie’s wonderful rendition of a Screech Owl in an attempt to get the Pileated WP to respond after hearing some very loud tree pecking near Woods Cottage.

Participants: Robert Koch, Laurie Larson and Miriam Swartz.

Text and photographs by Robert Koch