The Evening Grosbeak was one of the many birds seen during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, held on Saturday, December 19.
The wonderful Audubon Christmas Bird Count tradition continued in Cook County on Saturday, December 19. Jeremy Ridlbauer, compiler of results for the Christmas Bird Count reports that it was a somewhat slow day of birding, affected by the cold before and on the count day. However, he said counters did pick up some unusual species on count day, due to the relative warmth right up until the count day. Even with the weather being cold on the actual counting day, Cook County counted its circle area of birds and compiled a respectable list.
“We had 39 species on the count day, and 41 species so far on the count week,” said Ridlbauer. He added that there are few species usually seen that are “missing” this year, such as the American Tree Sparrow, Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, Canada Goose and a few others. However, at press time reports were still coming in for “count week” birds. Bird watchers were still reporting bird species and numbers until December 22.
The area in which birds are counted is a 7.5-mile radius circle from a point 3 miles south of the middle of Devil Track Lake. The count circle covers Highway 61 to Lindskog Road and north, some of County Road 60, Gunflint Trail to the landfill road, Pine Mountain Road to the backside of Elbow Lake, Devil Track Road to Bally Creek Road, Ball Club Road to The Grade, Pike Lake Road, and Highway 61 west to Cascade Lodge, and all of the lakeshore between Lindskog Road and Cascade Lodge.
Birders gathered at Blue Water Café after a chilly day outdoors to turn in their results. “Thanks to Blue Water Café for providing a meeting place at the end of the day,” said Ridlbauer.
The first known Minnesota CBCs were conducted on Christmas Day 1905 in Minneapolis and Red Wing. During those last 109 years, the Christmas Bird Count has been conducted uninterrupted in the state and has grown to include almost 70 census circles and involved more than 28,000 participants. Each and every year more than 1,000 participants canvass the state to conduct the survey.
Anyone who would like more information about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count may call Ridlbauer at (218) 370-0733.
Cook County Christmas Bird Count Results
In order of abundance from Saturday and count week)
Black-capped Chickadee
Common Raven
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Common Redpoll
Rock Pigeon
Pine Grosbeak
European Starling
American Crow
American Goldfinch
Common Goldeneye
Hairy Woodpecker
Pine Siskin
Red Crossbill
Herring Gull
Long-tailed Duck
Bald Eagle
White-breasted Nuthatch
Dark-eyed Junco
Pileated Woodpecker
Gray Jay
Rough-legged Hawk
Evening Grosbeak
Northern Cardinal
White-throated Sparrow
American Robin
Black-backed
Woodpecker
Brown Thrasher
Great Horned Owl
Green-winged Teal
Hermit Thrush
Hoary Redpoll
Horned Grebe
Mourning Dove
Northern Shrike
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Great Gray Owl
(count week only)
Mallard (count week only)
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