Hello, Tweeters,

The Sequim-Dungeness CBC occurred on Monday, Dec 19. It turned out
to be a spectacular day, both for weather and birds. Calm winds, high
clouds, and superb visibility helped immensely, a real contrast to
the last couple years of cold, snotty winds. I believe I've received
all the reports, but there may be one or two more feeder watchers yet
to report.

The count tallied 153 species, three more than our previous high
count, and I believe a record for WA CBCs. The total number of
individuals was 85,777, surpassing the old SDCBC record of 85,221 set
in 2009. 135 people participated in the count, combining field
observers and feeder watchers.

The most abundant species this year, as is typical for this count,
were dabbling ducks. The top three species were Am. Wigeon (14,675),
Mallard (9,898), and No. Pintail (6,399). Other abundant species, in
decreasing order, were Ancient Murrelet (4099), large pink-legged
gulls (Glaucous-winged Gull and Olympic Gull hybrids) (3766), Brant
(3145), Am. Robin (2468), Dark-eyed Junco (2145), Eur. Starling
(1996), and Golden-crowned Kinglet (1772). These top ten species
comprised about 59 percent of all the birds seen on our count.

A remarkable 23 species set record high-counts for the 36-year
history of the SDCBC, including Brant, N. Shoveler, Yellow-billed
Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon,
Black-bellied Plover, Common Murre, Ancient Murrelet, Rock Pigeon,
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Barred Owl, Anna?s Hummingbird, N. Flicker,
Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Fox, Lincoln?s, and White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Western
Meadowlark, and Am. Goldfinch.

One of the most impressive landbirds was Lincoln?s Sparrow -- the
count of 80 Lincoln?s this year more than doubled our previous high
count. The mild fall weather and lack of any storms likely helped
survival of small forest birds, or at least kept them in the area,
like with chickadees and kinglets. The perfect weather really helped
our esteemed boat party, which found record numbers of Yellow-billed
Loons (10!), Common Murres (1826), and Ancient Murrelets (4099!).

Several species continue their recent increases. Eurasian Collared-
Doves first appeared on our count in 2007 with 4 birds, then 13 in
2008, 44 in 2009, 106 in 2010, and 183 this year. The sky's the
limit! The first Barred Owl found on this count occurred in 1989; it
was mostly missed for the next 20 years, it never exceeded one bird
until 2008, and this year totaled 7. Our first Anna?s Hummer occurred
in 1994, never exceeded three birds until 2006, and this year reached
81.

It was a perfect night and day for owling. We recorded 8 owl species,
with multiple individuals of every species, including 3 Snowy and 2
Short-eared Owls.

Unusual species for our count:
Black-crowned Night-Heron ? 1 bird at Dungeness, present this winter
and last, named ?Gale? by the owners of the tree where it roosts
because it arrived during a gale in 2010.
Buteo sp., not Red-tailed Hawk ? A close fly-by described by three
excellent observers that matches Swainson?s Hawk. We?re being careful
with this one, but note that a possible Swainson?s Hawk was mentioned
at the Victoria BC CBC as well. What the heck?
Golden-Plover sp. ? Seen well, roosting with Black-bellied Plovers in
Dungeness Bay. Smaller size, smaller bill, no black axillaries, fits
American Golden-Plover best because of distinct superciliary line,
but we?ll call it a Golden-Plover sp. for now. Since Am. Golden-
Plovers are largely at the southern tip of South America right now,
we're in a quandary.
Slaty-backed Gull ? 1 at Dungeness Bay, closely described.
W. Bluebird ? 5 birds at Gardiner.
Townsend?s Solitaire ? 1 near Dungeness.
Am. Tree Sparrow ? 2 birds at Three Crabs, still present on 12/23/11.
Harris?s Sparrow ? 1 bird with other Zonos on the north slopes of
Lost Mtn.
Common Redpoll ? 3 traveling with siskin flocks in alders near the
mouth of the Dungeness River.

Other species observed this count, often missed in the past: Gr.
White-fronted Goose, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Ruffed Grouse, Am.
Bittern, Sora, Gr. Yellowlegs, W. Sandpiper, LB Dowitcher, Band-
tailed Pigeon, Hermit Thrush, Am. Pipit, Orange-crowned and
Townsend's Warblers, Wh-throated Sparrow, and Red Crossbill.

The only expected "missed" species is Bonaparte's Gull, a species
that consistently occurred here 10-20 years ago, but has not been
seen on this count for 5 of the last 7 years.

All-in-all, a great day with great weather and great observers. Many
thanks to all participants!!

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim









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