The 2014 Christmas Bird Count had plenty of counters—walking, driving and feeder-watching. Suet is a great draw for many bird species.
Jeremy Ridlbauer, compiler of results for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count reports that although the “human participation” was good on Saturday, December 20 was a slow day of birding. Bird numbers were affected by both the previous cold snaps and winds the weeks before the count day, along with last year’s late winter hindering migration. However, Ridlbauer said, “We did count our circle area of birds and have a respectable list”
Counters report 34 species on the December 20 count day and 40 species so far on the count week, which ran from December 17 to December 23. Ridlbauer said there were no big surprises this year, but he was pleased that a Saw-whet Owl was spotted before the count week was over. A bit unusual were sightings of a Fox Sparrow and Horned Lark, but they have been seen in the Christmas Count in the past.
The counting circle area is a 7.5-mile radius circle from a point 3 miles south of the middle of Devil Track Lake. The 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 back side 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, along with all of the lakeshore between Lindskog Road and Cascade Lodge.
Birders gathered at Blue Water Café at the end of the day to turn in the results and discuss the sightings of the day. Ridlbauer expressed appreciation to Blue Water for providing a meeting place for the tired and cold counters.
Anyone who would like more information about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count may call Ridlbauer at (218) 370-0733.
Audubon Christmas Bird Count—Listed in order of abundance
Common Redpoll
Black-capped Chickadee
Common Raven
Pine Siskin
Blue Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Rock Pigeon
European Starling
Pine Grosbeak
Dark-eyed Junco
Herring Gull
American Goldfinch
American Crow
Common Goldeneye
House Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker
Gray Jay
Bufflehead
Northern Cardinal
Pileated Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-winged Crossbill
Bald Eagle
Mallard
Purple Finch
Ruffed Grouse
Common Grackle
Evening Grosbeak
Fox Sparrow
Gray Catbird
Horned Lark
Red-bellied Woodpecker
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown Creeper *
Cedar Waxwing*
Harlequin Duck*
Rough-legged Hawk*
Saw-whet Owl*
Snow Bunting*
* Seen during count week
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