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The 116th CBC in Arkansas
The 116th CBC period in Arkansas was an eventful one. Weather is always a factor, but this year was exceptional; 7% of the counts were moderately impacted by wind and 15% by flooding. In addition, 19% of the counts were severely impacted by flooding. The Arkansas River flood stage at Dardanelle is 32 feet and the river crested at 40.83 ft. on Dec 28th, the 2nd worst flooding in recorded history.
The five counts that go late in the season were the most impacted by flooding (Bayou DeView, Holla Bend N.W.R., Pine Bluff, Wapanocca N.W.R., and White River N.W.R.) were 9% below their 5-year species average and 53% below the 5-year average for numbers of individuals. Additionally, one-third to half of the area in these circles was inaccessible.
Despite the flooding the best number of species and individuals occurred 12/31-1/5, with 146 species and 345,175 individuals tallied (of which 200,868 were geese). Lonoke had the most individuals (212,210). Statewide-total number of individuals (687,681) was 19 percent below the five year average.
With the addition of the new Sylamore Ranger District count 27 counts were submitted from Arkansas, with 12 having more than 90 species. Hot Springs N.P. and Arkadelphia tied for the species high of 108. Mississippi River S.P. had the most new or unusual species (11), the most new high counts (27), and set a new species high of 84. Fayetteville had the most hours (80.5) and the most observers (45). Statewide the number of species tallied, at 163, was slightly below the normal range of 164-167.
The numbers for the following bird highlights are normalized by party hours. In the broad groups, geese were 373 percent above average and semi-hardy waterbirds + 298%. Blackbirds were 98% below average, frugivores -97%, and Upland game-birds -76%.
Setting new 63-year highs were American White Pelican (2nd record high in four years); Black Vulture (3rd record high in four years); Chipping Sparrow (2nd record high in two years); and Savannah Sparrow.
Blue-winged Teal was 255 % above average and had their best flight in 17 years. Northern Shoveler was 335% above average; Great Egret (369%); Merlin (257%); Greater Yellowlegs (335%); Spotted Sandpiper (406%); and Eurasian Collared-Dove (288%).
Meanwhile, 63-year lows were set by American Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, and Loggerhead Shrike (the latter for the third time in five years).
Canvasback was 94 % below average and had the worst flight in 24 years. Northern Bobwhite was -96% and has set three record lows in the last six years. Other species tallied in lower-than-average numbers included Red-breasted Nuthatch (-96%, they had 1 very good flight year followed by 3 very low years); American Robin (-93%); European Starling and Red-winged Blackbird (both -98%, for 2 years in a row); Rusty Blackbird (-96%, for 2 years ina row); and Common Grackle (-99%, for 2 years in a row).
Wood Duck and Green-winged Teal had their worst flight in 12 years; Cedar Waxwing had a record high last year followed by the worst flight in 25 years; Yellow-rumped Warbler was the worst in 29 years; Le Conte’s Sparrow was worst in 15 years, and White-crowned Sparrow the worst in 14 years.
For the last two seasons, Sora was the only regularly occurring species that was missed. The only uncommon species that was missed was “Krider’s” Red-tailed Hawk.
Species found only on one count included Sandhill Crane, Inca Dove, and Short-eared Owl (Arkadelphia); American Black Duck, “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk, and Western Sandpiper (Bayou DeView); White-winged Dove (Fort Smith-Moffett); Trumpeter Swan and Peregrine Falcon (Holla Bend N.W.R.); Red-breasted Merganser and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Lake Dardanelle); Green Heron, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Lake Georgia Pacific-Felsenthal N.W.R.); Rufous Hummingbird (Little Rock); American Avocet and Smith’s Longspur (Lonoke); “Eastern” Bewick’s Wren (Mississippi River S.P.); “Western” Bewick’s Wren and Great-tailed Grackle (Texarkana); and Golden Eagle, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Blue-headed Vireo (White River N.W.R.).
The birds of-the-year were the Cinnamon Teal at Arkadelphia; a Swainson’s Hawk at Holla Bend N.W.R.; another Swainson’s Hawk and an Eastern Kingbird at Sylamore Ranger District; and Summer Tanager at Fayetteville (Which hosted five in December and 11 plus in February!)
This year’s sponsors were the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas, Buffalo River Partners, Inc., the City of Hot Springs, The Disorganized Bird Club, Felsenthal N.W.R., Friends of Felsenthal N.W.R., Friends of Holla Bend N.W.R., Garland County Audubon, Holla Bend N.W.R., Hot Springs N.P., Hot Springs Village Audubon, Lake Catherine S.P., Mississippi River S.P., Mount Magazine S.P., North Central Arkansas Audubon Society, NorthWest Arkansas Audubon Society, Ouachita-Caddo Bird Club, Ozark-St. Francis N.F., Tennessee Ornithological Society, Texarkana Audubon Society, Three Rivers Audubon Society, and Village Creek S.P.
It can never be said frequently enough: All the compilers and volunteers deserve a big “THANK YOU” for your hard work!