The 117th CBC in the Arkansas

Weather is always a factor during the Christmas Bird Count period, but this year was milder than normal.  Overall there were 5% below average impacts; 26 % of the counts were moderately impacted by wind and 4% by ice.  In addition, only 7% of the counts were severely impacted by wind.

The best number of species and individuals occurred 12/25-12/30.  Statewide-total number of individuals (760,401) was 11 % below the five-year average.  Lonoke had the most individuals (222,988).

In Arkansas 27 counts were submitted with 12 counts having more than 90 species.  Usually the high species count averages 118, but for first time two counts were over 120 species with Holla Bend N.W.R. leading at 121 species and Lake Dardanelle just behind at 120 species.  Mount Magazine had the most new or unusual species (10) and Mississippi River S.P. had the most new species high counts (18).  Crooked Creek Valley, Lake Dardanelle, and Mount Magazine set new species high of 79, 120, and 96, respectively.  Hot Springs N.P. had the most hours (92.5) and Hot Springs Village had the most observers (39).  The combined total of 167 species statewide was at the upper end of the normal range of 164-167.

The numbers for the following bird highlights are normalized by party hours.  In the broad groups, geese were 249 % above average (tenth year in a row above 200%); semi-hardy waterbirds + 300% (third year in a row above 200%); and gulls at 409% had their highest numbers in 64 years.  Blackbirds were -95% below average (for the fifth year in a row below -90%); frugivores -95% (for the third year in a row below -90%); and upland game-birds -25% (though still declining this year they had improved numbers for the first time in 10 years).    

Setting new 64-year highs were Greater White-fronted Goose (3^rd record high in six years); Bald Eagle; Red-bellied Woodpecker (3^rd record high in a row) and Chipping Sparrow (3^rd record high in a row).   

Greater Roadrunner was 183 % above average and had their best movement in 25 years; Fish Crow was 397 % above average and had the best flight in 25 years; Golden-crowned Kinglet was 134% above average and had the best flight in 11 years; and Common Yellowthroat was 284% above average and had their best showing in 19 years.

Meanwhile, 64-year lows were set by Loggerhead Shrike (for the fourth time in seven years).

White-crowned Sparrow was 22 % below average and had their worst flight in 28 years, and Eastern Meadowlark was 48% below average and had their lowest numbers in 54 years.

Eurasian Collared-Dove has had three record high years, followed by three years of sharply declining numbers.

Golden Eagle was the only regularly occurring species that was missed.  The only uncommon species that was missed was Blue-winged Teal.

Species found only on one count included American Tree Sparrow (Arkadelphia); White-winged Dove (Fort Smith-Moffett); Summer Tanager (Hot Springs Village); Long-tailed Duck and Western Grebe (Lake Dardanelle); Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Spotted Towhee (Lake Georgia Pacific-Felsenthal N.W.R.); Tree Swallow (Lonoke); Western Sandpiper (Mount Magazine); White Ibis and Great-tailed Grackle (Texarkana); and American Black Duck (White River N.W.R.).

The birds of-the-year were two species putting in their first Arkansas CBC appearance: a Black Scoter at Lonoke and a Western Kingbird at Bayou DeView; followed by 2^nd Arkansas CBC occurrences of California Gull at Holla Bend N.W.R. and Yellow-headed Blackbird at Mountain Home. 

This year’s sponsors were the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas, Buffalo River Partners Inc., City of Hot Springs, The Disorganized Bird Club, Felsenthal N.W.R., Friends of Felsenthal N.W.R., Holla Bend N.W.R., Friends of Holla Bend N.W.R., Garland County Audubon, 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, co-compilers and volunteers deserve a big “THANK YOU” for your hard work!