113th CBC Wyoming/Utah Regional Summary

By Keith Evans

For the 113^th Christmas Bird Count, 20 count circles were reviewed for Wyoming and 25 for Utah. The big news this year was the irruption of redpolls throughout the region. For Utah, 419 Common Redpolls (on 6 circles) and 58 Hoary Redpolls (on 3 circles) were recorded. For Wyoming, 1960 Common Redpolls (on 17 circles) and one Hoary Redpoll (on one circle) were reported. Redpolls are rare during most winters in Utah. A look at the historical database shows that CBC-92 was the last year with significant numbers in Utah, when 25 were recorded on one circle. CBCs in Wyoming usually record a few redpolls. Looking back 20 years in Wyoming, the two high years were CBC-102 with 488 and CBC-112 with 465.  With 477 in Utah and 1961 in Wyoming, Redpolls were very abundant in the region for CBC-113. There was much discussion and many shared photos on various bird hotlines about the separation of Common and Hoary redpolls. I concluded that the redpolls in our region displayed a gradient of characteristics, so I didn’t attempt to question or edit the reports. On a side note, there were also high numbers of rosy-finches reported. Utah CBC participants reported 350 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (on 6 circles), 25 Black Rosy-Finch (on one circle), and 118 rosy-finch species (on one circle). Wyoming CBC participants reported 2137 Gray-crowned (on 14 circles), 92 Black (on 3 circles), and 102 rosy-finch species (on one circle). 

In Wyoming, 130 species were reported, with an average of just over 48 species per count circle. In recent years, total species counted in Wyoming has varied from 110 to 133. With milder fall weather, CBC-113 had a higher average species per count circle (CBC-112 recorded an average of 43 species per circle). To provide some trend information, I compiled 10-year averages for five regularly recorded species. On CBC-109, Barrow’s Goldeneye numbers reached a low of 209, so to see a count of 495 on seven circles was good news. Wyoming’s 10-year average for Barrow’s Goldeneye is 331 per count year. Downy Woodpecker numbers have been somewhat variable, but the 10-year average was 98 on 18 circles. For CBC-113, Downy Woodpecker numbers were 113 on 17 circles. Steller’s Jay numbers have been falling for many years, reaching a low of 11 on four count circles on CBC-112.  It was rewarding to see an increase in numbers to 86 on six count circles on CBC-113. Belted Kingfisher numbers were consistently low on CBC-108 through 111, which brought the 10-year average down to 30 on 13 circles. CBC-113 recorded 43 Belted Kingfishers on 16 circles, so was higher than average and significantly better than the four lowest years. Brewer’s Blackbirds hit a low on CBC-110, when only one was recorded in Wyoming. Brewer’s Blackbird numbers on CBC-113 were high with 100 recorded on seven circles. The 10-year average for Brewer’s Blackbirds in Wyoming was 65 per count year (on an average of 3 circles).  

“Out of range or season” birds reported included a Western Grebe on each of WYCO (Cody), WYGF (Guernsey-Fort Laramie), and WYCA (Casper); a Virginia Rail on WYGR (Green River); one Gray Catbird on WYCA (Casper); one Rock Wren on WYLA (Lander); one Canyon Wren on WYCA (Casper); two Marsh Wrens on WYKA (Kane); one Brown Thrasher on WYCA (Casper); and one Rusty Blackbird on WYGR (Green River).    

In Utah, 192 species were reported with an average of 64 species per count circle. In recent years, total species has varied from 180-189, so CBC-113 was high. A combination of weather, bird migration patterns, and level of participation resulted in several Utah counts recording their highest number of species. For the last three years, three count circles have exceeded the 100 species mark. This year, four count circles exceeded the 100 species mark. It seems to take two factors to record more than 100 species during a Utah CBC – first, mild weather with open water; and second, a large number of participants. The counts exceeding 100 species were Logan, Salt Lake City, St. George, and Silver Reef. The two Washington County (Utah’s Dixie) counts had an extra advantage of a Mojave Desert climate and vegetation. Another unusual report was that five Utah count circles recorded White-throated Sparrows, which is unusually high for this normally rare species.

Throughout their range, Wood Duck populations were very low during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The population decline was caused by overharvest and loss of habitat, including the drainage of forested wetlands. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 helped stop the exploitation (including market hunting) of many species of birds, and led to better conservation programs. This new conservation era contributed to increases for the depleted Wood Duck population. Although current populations are high over much of the Wood Duck range, they still are uncommon in Utah. For the past 20 years, Wood Duck numbers on Utah CBC circles have been increasing. To adjust for individual year variability, I’ve averaged the numbers in 5-year blocks. The average count for CBC-94-98 was 59.2; CBC-99-103 was 66.4; CBC-104-108 was 110.6; and CBC-109-113 was 126.8 birds. Only 66 Wood Ducks (on 7 circles) were counted on CBC-113.  I hope this lower than average count doesn’t start a future downward trend in Utah.

To provide some trend information, I compiled 10-year averages for a few regularly recorded species. Red-tailed Hawks continue to be Utah’s most common winter raptor with a 10-year average of 528 birds seen on 18 circles. On CBC-113, 672 were recorded on 23 circles. Ruby-crowned Kinglet numbers have been variable, but maintaining a stable trend. The 10-year average for Ruby-crowned Kinglets was 217 on 12 circles; for CBC-113, 255 were recorded on 13 circles. Belted Kingfisher numbers were high on CBC-112, with 83 recorded on 13 circles. CBC-113 reported 68 individuals on 16 circles, remaining higher than the 10-year average of 56 on 11 circles. Say’s Phoebe numbers reached a high of 126 on seven circles on CBC-106, but have been fairly stable during other years of the 10-year analysis period. On CBC-113, 60 individuals were recorded on six circles; this compares to the 10-year average of 74 on six circles. Northern Shrike numbers were at a 10-year high on CBC-113 with 42 recorded on 15 circles. This compares to a 10-year average of 24 on 11 circles. Steller’s Jay numbers were variable but have been low on the last five counts. For example, 438 Steller’s Jays were recorded on 12 circles on CBC-101 and 254 were recorded on 10 circles on CBC-108. This compares with 47 on eight circles on CBC-113 and a 10-year average of 88 on nine circles. Townsend’s Solitaire numbers have been fairly stable over the last ten years with an average of 197 on 16 circles. CBC-113 numbers were high with 243 recorded on 19 circles. Hermit Thrush numbers have varied from 5-27 over the previous 10 years with an average of 17. On CBC-113, 30 individuals were reported on eight circles. The future will tell if this is the start of an upward trend or a one-year high due to a mild fall. It is interesting to note that only one Hermit Thrush has been reported during the last 10 years in Wyoming (on CBC-102).

“Out of range or season” birds reported included two Western Sandpipers, one Harlequin Duck, one Long-tailed Duck, one Bonaparte’s Gull, and four Snow Buntings on UTAI (Antelope Island); a Red-necked Grebe on UTHV (Heber Valley); one Clark’s Grebe and one Blue Jay on UTLO (Logan); one Osprey and one Swamp Sparrow on UTTR (Torrey); two Dunlins on UTSR (Silver Reef); one American Bittern, one White-faced Ibis, and one House Wren on UTFS (Fish Springs); two Northern Mockingbirds on UTPR (Provo); a Black-throated Gray Warbler on UTSG (St. George); and one Indigo Bunting on UTKA (Kanab).

As always, I thank the compilers and participants for continuing to contribute to this extensive and valuable database.