The raw numbers are in for last Saturday's Seattle Christmas Bird count.
Official numbers will be available later after they have been double
checked and our compiler, Phil Mattocks, has had time to go over them
carefully.

Species diversity was right on average -- 118-120 species total. Two
rarities await further investigation. We don't know yet whether the Blue
Jay in the north end was actually seen on count day (Gene Hunn did find it
during count week). This is the first occurrence of this species on the
count. A Red-naped/Yellow-bellied type sapsucker was also seen in the
Beacon Hill area; the single observer is supplying details, and others are
trying to relocate the bird.

The overall numbers were exceptionally high. We don't know if this was
more the result of thorough coverage, or of continuing mild weather, or of
favorable bird-finding conditions, but we had the second-highest number of
individuals ever: 53316. However, over 16,000 of the 57858 individuals
found in the highest prior year (1994) were American Coots, which is a good
10,000 higher than a typical high year for this species. If adjustment is
made for this anomaly, then 1997 is the highest year for total individuals
seen, by a wide margin. And they were spread out over many species. Going
back to 1970, we had new highs for 32 species, which is unheard of over
such a long period (previous highs shown in parentheses):

Horned Grebe 470 (278)
Pelagic Cormorant 113 (60)
Canada Goose 1739 (1554)
Eurasian Wigeon 15 (14)
American Wigeon 2682 (2678)
Canvasback 558 (462)
Lesser Scaup 660 (560)
Surf Scoter 969 (944)
Barrow's Goldeneye 377 (347)
Bufflehead 699 (609)
Bald Eagle 42 (29 last year, also a record)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 28 (20 last year, also a record)
Pigeon Guillemot 28 (16)
Rock Dove 2896 (2564)
Barn Owl 1 (tie)
Barred Owl 2 (1)
Belted Kingfisher 30 (26)
Northern Flicker 198 (189)
Hutton's Vireo 15 (9)
Western Scrub-Jay 2 (1)
Black-capped Chickadee 1022 (1015)
Bewick's Wren 248 (208)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 527 (380)
Hermit Thrush 9 (7)
Townsend's Warbler 43 (30)
Spotted Towhee 285 (235)
Savannah Sparrow 8 (6)
Fox Sparrow 212 (126)
Song Sparrow 807 (681)
Golden-crowned Sparrow 120 (114)
House Finch 1319 (1163)
House Sparrow 1311 (861)

It should be noted, too, that counts for many other species were at the
very top of their ranges, in the highest two or three years ever, for
example Double-crested Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Anna's Hummingbird,
Downy Woodpecker, Puget Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren, Dark-eyed Junco.

Lows worthy of note were recorded for Ruddy Duck (101 -- the previous
lowest was 141), Common Snipe (none found for the second year in a row
although never previously missed in the history of the count), Cedar
Waxwing (first miss since 1973), and Purple Finch (only one -- there have
been a few prior counts in the 2-4 range).

Thanks to all who participated in a great count!

Hal Opperman, Chair
Seattle Audubon Society Bird Record Committee