The 125th Christmas Bird Count in North Carolina

            The 125^th CBC in North Carolina consisted of 53 counts, with three (Alamance County, Holly Shelter and Portsmouth) not being run. Overall, the weather this season averaged slightly warmer temperatures and less precipitation. There were nine counts that had highs above 60, and four with lows below 20 (Catawba Valley, Pilot Mt., Rockingham County, Stone Mt.). Snow was practically non-existent, with light snow falling on just one count - the Upper Yadkin River Valley Count. Frozen water was not an issue on any count. Only four counts had all-day rain – Balsam, Southern Lake Norman, Upper Yadkin River Valley, and Yancey County. Thankfully, no all-day fog was reported on any Count. High winds hampered a handful of mountains counts and several Piedmont counts. During this year’s Count 761,836 individuals of 220 species, no Count-Week (CW) only birds, and 1 form (Ipswich Sparrow) were reported. The species total was down somewhat from last season’s 228. Top Coastal species totals included Wilmington’s 165, Southport’s 155, Morehead City’s 149, Bodie-Pea’s 144, and Kitty Hawk’s and Cape Hatteras’ 116. Tidewater counts were led by Lake Mattamuskeet’s 149, Pamlico County’s 126, New Bern’s 119, and Alligator River’s 104. Coastal Plain counts were led by Pettigrew with 116, Wayne County with 105, Rocky Mount with 100, and Greenville with 98. Leading Piedmont counts included totals of 104 at Raleigh, 102 at Southern Lake Norman, 98 at Roanoke Rapids, 93 at Jordan Lake, and 92 at Durham. Mountains counts were led by Henderson County’s 84, Brevard’s 83, Buncombe County’s 73, Grandfather Mt.’s 72, Stone Mt.’s 64, and Lake Lure’s 63.

            Five Greater White-fronted Geese at Alligator River were the only ones found this Count period. Snow Geese were down again, compared to the last couple of years; but Ross’s Geese were up (9 at Pettigrew, singles at Mattamuskeet, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Gastonia). Brant were found on two counts with five at Kitty Hawk and seven at Cape Hatteras. Three Cackling Geese were recorded, with two at Mattamuskeet and one at Pettigrew. The number of Tundra Swans was up this year, but still below the high numbers of a couple of years earlier! All Puddle duck numbers rebounded somewhat from the past year. Most impressive was the total of 9 Eurasian Wigeons with eight at Mattamuskeet and one at Pettigrew. Diving duck numbers were comparable to last winter – but Canvasbacks were way down, while Redhead numbers were way up. Single Common Eiders on six different counts were noteworthy. Single Harlequin Ducks were noted on the Bodie-Pea Islands and Wilmington counts this year. Scoter numbers were up this year, with the total of 16 White-wingeds being notable. Common and Red-breasted Merganser numbers were way down this count season, but Hooded Mergansers were up considerably. Northern Bobwhite numbers rebounded with 46 on 8 counts. Always a good find on a Christmas Count, a Ruffed Grouse was located at Hot Springs. Red-throated Loons were down somewhat this year while Common Loon numbers were substantially down from last year. Three Pacific Loons were found with singles at Cape Hatteras, Wilmington, and inland at Kerr Lake. These locations have historically had Pacifics in the winter. Horned Grebe numbers were down this year, while Pied-billed Grebe numbers were slightly down. A Manx Shearwater at Kitty Hawk provided a first for that count. Northern Gannets rebounded significantly with numbers almost tripling over the previous year. Double-crested Cormorant numbers were comparable to last year, Brown Pelican numbers were considerably up, and American White Pelicans were down. Anhinga numbers were about like last year with 44 being found on ten counts. Long-legged wader numbers were generally slightly up again, compared to last year. Single Green Herons were noted at Cape Hatteras and Wilmington. Osprey numbers totaled 55 on 16 counts, with the farthest inland being three on the Gastonia count. Three were on last year’s count – could they be the same individuals? Vulture numbers were relatively stable this year, as were hawk and Bald Eagle numbers. The rarest bird of prey was the Golden Eagle photographed at Chapel Hill. Rails were found in similar numbers to last year. American Coot numbers were down considerably again, continuing a steady decline for the last three years. Sandhill Cranes are increasing as winter visitors, and 33 were found on three counts ‑ Rocky Mount (8), Morehead City (3), and Pettigrew (22). Shorebird numbers were noticeably down this count season. Three Black-necked Stilts at Bodie-Pea, one Wilson’s Plover at Camp Lejeune, and one Stilt Sandpiper at Pamlico County were the highlights. Eighteen Piping Plovers on five counts were down from last year. Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, both yellowlegs, Marbled Godwits, and both dowitchers were way down. Spotted Sandpipers totaled 7 on 5 counts, down from last year. Of note was the record total of 85 Purple Sandpipers (83 at Wilmington, 2 at Bodie-Pea). Jaeger numbers were up compared to last season with 22 Parasitics on three counts (15 Kitty Hawk, 6 Southport, 1 Wilmington). Two Pomarine Jaegers were noted, with singles at Morehead and Southport. Alcids were hard to find in the state’s coastal waters this season, only one was noted at Cape Hatteras. Gulls of note included 1 Black-headed Gull at Bodie-Pea, and single Little Gulls at Cape Hatteras and Southport. Royal and Forster’s Terns were slightly up compared to last year. Caspian Terns included one at Bodie-Pea, two at Ocracoke, and one inland at Jordan Lake – providing an extremely rare winter report away from the coast. Black Skimmers lingered in excellent numbers this season, with 300 at Camp Lejeune, 184 at Morehead, 28 at Bodie-Pea, 24 at Wilmington, and 21 at Southport.

            Short-eared Owls were again in short supply this year, with only two being found at the usual Alligator River area. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were detected, although one was found in the usual Bodie Island pines area just after the count period! Ruby-throated Hummingbird numbers were about average, with most along the coast as usual. All species of woodpeckers were slightly up, compared to last year. Numbers for Kestrels and Merlins were up this season, while Peregrine numbers were down again, with a total of 5 with singles from five counts! Ash-throated Flycatchers had another banner year with 5 on the Pettigrew count and 2 at Alligator River. One really wonders just how many Ash-throateds are wintering in the eastern part of the state now! Crow numbers remained stable while Raven numbers decreased slightly. Tree Swallow numbers were down slightly from last year. Rare swallows included a Barn Swallow at Mattamuskeet and 2 Cave Swallows at Ft. Fisher on the Southport count. After last year’s poor showing, Red-breasted Nuthatch numbers rebounded somewhat, with 104 being found on 29 counts. Wren numbers remained relatively stable from last season. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and both Kinglets were also present in similar numbers to last year. Thrush and mimic thrush numbers were comparable to last season. Cedar Waxwing numbers were slightly lower again this season, continuing a trend for the last several years. Ten species of warbler were found this count season! Of the less common regulars, seven Ovenbirds were found (1 at Kitty Hawk, 6 at Cape Hatteras), but Black-and-whites, Yellow-throateds, and Prairies were found in usual numbers. The most noteworthy were 3 Nashville Warblers (2 at Kitty Hawk, 1 at Mattamuskeet). Notable sparrows included 4 Clay-colored Sparrows (one at Wilmington and 3 at Pettigrew) and six Lincoln’s Sparrows (Roanoke Rapids 2, singles at Rocky Mount, Haw River, Mattamuskeet, and Wilmington). A Western Tanager was once again located, this one being at a Morehead City feeder. An Indigo Bunting was a good find on the Charlotte count; most winter Indigos are usually found more toward the coast. This year’s Painted Buntings included 4 at Cape Hatteras, 4 at Morehead City, 2 at Southport, and 1 each at Wilmington and Pettigrew. Blackbird numbers were down this year for all species, except slightly up for Brown-headed Cowbird. Brewer’s Blackbirds were found this year with a nice group of eight being on the Roanoke Rapids count. Wintering Baltimore Oriole numbers were up again with 175 from 20 counts! The best totals were 34 at Wilmington, 28 at Raleigh, and 25 at Greenville. Bullock’s Oriole is becoming annual in the state, all frequenting feeders. This year three were present, with singles at Ocracoke, Morehead City, and New Bern! Purple Finches were up with 453 on 45 counts, while Pine Siskins were way down with 53 on 12 counts. American Goldfinch numbers were average for the past several years; but only one Red Crossbill was found, that being at Lake Lure. As usual, no Evening Grosbeaks were found this count season.

            Hurricane Helene hit the North Carolina mountains region September 27, 2024, causing widespread flooding and landslides. Many lives were lost, and many communities were drastically affected. Untold buildings, homes, and roads were damaged or completely washed away. Many of the Christmas Count circles in the region were affected, with many favorite areas being damaged. Also access to many was not available due to road and bridge destruction. Amazingly no counts were canceled! The Compilers and Participants of the Yancey County, Buncombe County, and Lake Lure counts are to be commended for going forward to “get the Count done” under such trying conditions. Hopefully their Count Circles will get normal coverage next year!