This year, the 23d Lumberton census was held on January 24, and the 37th Medford Leas census was held on January 31; both had to be rescheduled due to bad weather.

The Medford Leas census was conducted under gray skies with temperatures in the 40s and no wind. Field participants were Dino Fiabane, Holly Hoffman, Robert Koch, and Mary Walter. As usual, the “Farm” garden area had lots of bird activity, with Robins, Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, Blue Jays, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  A very special bird was the usually secretive Winter Wren which popped into view near the main entrance bridge.  But the biggest surprise was a flock of Cedar Waxwings seen in record numbers at Haddon residence, where Ellen Wilen and other observers watched 50 of the birds eating red berries right outside the windows. This is a new record number for our 37 years of the count, showing that the birds do travel for food supplies during the winter months. Overall 26 species were observed at Medford.

Participants: Dino Fiabane, Holly Hoffman, Robert Koch, Mary Walter, Ellen Wilen.

Photos by Robert Koch