The Eastside Audubon Society (EAS) had the 2009 CBC on Saturday, Dec. 19. It
was cloudy and cool all day, temperatures of 42-48 F., with some light rain.
Many of the ponds still had ice on them from the recent cold weather which
resulted in fewer waterfowl than usual.

We had a record 54 people covering eight areas (the CBC circle is centered
just south of Beaver Lake in Sammamish). We had four backyard bird counts
and ended up with 94 species which is our second highest total, compares to
a high of 95 in 2008 CBC. The total of 18,086 birds was the highest of the
last 7 years. Following are the highlights and major changes in the bird
counts over the past 15 years.

American Bittern - one seen in East Snoqualmie Valley - first ever recorded
for our CBC
Tundra Swan - 5 and only 3rd year reported.
Canada Goose - 1722 - highest ever recorded
Cackling Goose - 2611 - highest of only 5 years as separate species,
previous high 306 in 2007
Northern Shoveler - 4 ties lowest number
Gadwall - 28 is 2nd lowest to 24 in 1994
Ring-necked Duck - 156 is 2nd highest to 168 in 1994
Ruddy Duck - 1 is 2nd lowest to 0 in 2006
Bald Eagle - 39 is 2nd highest to 41 in 2007
Merlin - 1 is only 5th year recorded
Ruffed Grouse - 1 in a backyard count is only 5th year recorded
American Coot - 264 is 2nd lowest total to 262 in 1995
Ring-billed Gull - 359 is 2nd highest to 1581 in 1994
Mourning Dove - 19 (14 in backyard counts) is 3rd highest to 56 in 2006
Anna's Hummingbird - 22 (10 in backyard counts) is 2nd highest to 25 in 2004
Northern Flicker - 100 is highest recorded
Steller's Jay - 120 is highest with 99 reported in 2008
Gray Jay - 5 is highest count for only third year reported by Gene Hunn
hiking up Tiger Mt.
Common Raven - 20 is 2nd highest to 21 in 2005
Black-capped Chickadee - 318 is 2nd highest to 329 in 2007
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 26 ties highest with 1995
Brown Creeper - 28 is 2nd highest to 29 in 2003
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 205 is 2nd highest to 224 in 2005
American Pipit - 1 and only second ever recorded with 6 in 1999
Cedar Waxwing - 67 is only 6th year recorded with high of 72 in 1996
Northern Shrike - 4 ties with 2008 as highest
Western Tanager - 1 seen on East L. Sammamish Trail is first ever for EAS
CBC
Spotted Towhee - 121 is 2nd highest to 141 in 2003
Dark-eyed Junco - 730 is highest with previous high of 471 in 2007
Red-winged Blackbird - 2277 is highest with previous high is 1857 in 1999
Purple Finch - 45 is highest and compares to 39 in 2007
Other birds seen during count week, but not on count day include a Clark's
Nutcracker, Barred Owl and Brant goose.
A complete list of birds recorded is available by emailing Hugh Jennings.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
h2ouzel at Comcast.net