113th CBC North Carolina Regional Summary

By Ricky Davis

The 113^th CBC in North Carolina consisted of 49 counts, with Rockingham County being new this year. Two long-running counts, Tryon and Wayne County, were not conducted this year. Hopefully someone can step up and get these counts going again. Temperatures were warmer than average across the state, and snow was present on only one count, that being Grandfather Mountain. Rain was noted on 20 counts with heavy rain hampering four counts. High winds made counting difficult in at least 11 areas with Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke, Henderson County, and Grandfather Mountain experiencing the worst conditions. During this year’s count 890,396 individuals of 232 species and two forms were reported. There was one addition to the cumulative NC CBC list this year, that being the Say's Phoebe on the Pettigrew Count. Top coastal species totals included Southport's 166, Wilmington's 163, Morehead City's 159, and Bodie-Pea's 149. Tidewater counts included 153 at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (Mattamuskeet), 125 at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR), 120 at Pamlico County, and 119 at New Bern. Coastal Plain counts were led by Greenville with 108, Roanoke Rapids with 101, and Rocky Mount with 96. Leading Piedmont counts had species totals of 103 at Kerr Lake, 101 at Falls Lake, 99 at Raleigh and S. Lake Norman, and 98 at Durham. Mountains counts were led by Henderson County’s 81, Brevard's 79, Buncombe County's 76, and Balsam's 71.

Waterfowl numbers were generally down again from the previous year; with geese, swans, and puddle ducks especially so. Highlights included a Greater White-fronted Goose at Pettigrew, a count-week (cw) Eurasian Wigeon at Lake Mattamuskeet, and Common Eiders at Camp Lejeune, Mattamuskeet, and Ocracoke. For the second year in a row, only one Long-tailed Duck was noted, that being at Wilmington. The Northern Bobwhite recovered somewhat from last year's low of 32, with a total of 80.  Loon numbers were up slightly, and the Wilmington loon flock harbored at least three Pacifics this season. Grebe numbers were up slightly and included single Red-neckeds at Falls Lake and Roanoke Rapids, and single Eareds at Bodie-Pea, Cape Hatteras, Southport, and Wilmington. Three Manx Shearwaters were good finds on the Bodie-Pea count, all from shore! A total of 150 American White Pelicans was a slight increase from last year, while 37 Anhingas almost tripled last year's number! Long legged wader numbers were generally unimpressive except for a total of eight Cattle Egrets (2 counts) and seven Green Herons (5 counts). Bird of prey highlights included Northern Goshawks at Morehead City and Pettigrew (cw), Broad-winged Hawks at Chapel Hill and Mt. Jefferson, and Golden Eagles at Mattamuskeet, Pettigrew, and Rockingham County. A Yellow Rail was finally seen on count day at Morehead City, and Black Rails were amazingly seen on the Mattamuskeet and Portsmouth Island counts. Nine Sandhill Cranes were seen in flight on the Falls Lake count, a most unexpected sighting for the eastern Piedmont. Shorebird highlights included a Wilson's Plover at Southport and 708 Red Knots from eight counts. Gull highlights included a Black-headed Gull on the Southern Lake Norman count, probably the same bird from last year's Charlotte count; and a Glaucous Gull (cw) at Mattamuskeet. Tern numbers were similar to last year, and amazingly for the second year in a row, an inland Caspian Tern was found with one at Greensboro (cw). Pomarine Jaegers were good finds at Southport and Holly Shelter (cw), while five Parasitic Jaegers were noted on three counts. Last year Razorbills staged an impressive flight into NC coastal waters with a record-setting total of 986. The record was short-lived, as this year's flight produced an astounding 1832 from nine counts. Wilmington's count of 1217 alone was more than last year's overall total! Also of note was a single Dovekie found on the Bodie- Pea count.

Owl highlights included Long-eareds at Cumberland County and Kerr Lake, and a Northern Saw-whet at Rockingham County. Hummingbirds continued to be found on the state’s counts with Ruby-throateds predominately along the coast, and Rufous/Selasphorus being found sparingly across the state. Flycatcher highlights included a Say's Phoebe at Pettigrew providing a first NC CBC record, another Ash-throated Flycatcher at Pettigrew, and a Western Kingbird on the Kitty Hawk count. Two Cave Swallows were good finds at Greenfield Lake on the Wilmington count. It had been several years since this species was last recorded on a Christmas count in NC. Red-breasted Nuthatches were widespread with 46 counts producing a total of 829, easily annihilating the old record total of 377 in 2008! Numbers of both kinglets were up this year, and they were also widespread in occurrence. Bodie-Pea Islands had the only Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting this year. Warbler highlights this count season included a Nashville Warbler at Lake Mattamuskeet, an American Redstart at Kitty Hawk providing the 5th NC CBC record, and single Yellow-breasted Chats at Morehead City and Wilmington. Last year's Summer Tanager at Wilmington returned, and another Summer was detected on the Pamlico County count. Noteworthy sparrows included a Clay-colored at Morehead City, two Henslow's at Holly Shelter, a Le Conte's at New Bern, and a good total of 17 Lincoln's from eight counts (7 at Holly Shelter). Southern Lake Norman had the only Vesper Sparrows (11), thereby underscoring just how local and uncommon this species is in NC during winter. Wintering Painted Bunting numbers were down for the second year in a row, with singles at Southport, Holly Shelter, and Morehead City (cw). A Dickcissel at Raleigh provided only the 8th NC CBC record. Blackbird numbers were somewhat up, and the best Rusty Blackbird counts were 1085 at Chapel Hill and 916 at Gastonia. Baltimore Oriole numbers rebounded somewhat from last year, with the best counts being 12 at Rocky Mount and Wilmington, and 11 at Morehead City. Finches caused some excitement this winter. Purple Finches (254 on 26 counts) and Pine Siskins (2620 on 36 counts) were spread in good numbers across the state. Finch highlights included 27 Red Crossbills (3 at Buncombe County, 20 at Chapel Hill, 2 at Cumberland County, and 2 at Southern Lake Norman), 12 White-winged Crossbills at Durham (only the 5th NC CBC record), a Common Redpoll at Cape Hatteras (cw), and single Evening Grosbeaks at Cumberland County, Falls Lake, Rockingham County, and Chapel Hill (cw). It had been five years since the last Evening Grosbeak was recorded on a NC CBC!