Yesterday, Dec 29, was the Wahkiakum Christmas Bird Count, which straddles the lower Columbia River and includes the towns of Cathlamet & Skamokawa, WA and Westport & Brownsmead, OR. With help from mild temperatures and no precipitation, 23 participants found 119 species (preliminary count), including two species new to the circle, Western Bluebird (on Nicolai Mountain, OR) and Northern Goshawk (upper Big Noise Creek, OR). I tried and failed to relocate a small white egret reported from Tenasillahe Island, so it will probably have to remain a "small white egret". Both Black Phoebe and Red-shouldered Hawk appear to be established here now, with multiple individuals reported of each. This was, however, the first year without a single White-tailed Kite since I started the Wahkiakum count in 1998. Another notable miss was Horned Lark - two hours of scouring White's Island failed to turn up the overwintering flock. We found a number of species uncommon in this area, including Redhead (10 of them, from two locations), Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Mockingbird, and Swamp Sparrow. Thanks to everyone who participated!
-Andrew Emlen